Mike’s Musings …

Twenty-One Years Later

   Twenty-one years ago today, at 8:46 AM our world changed! For some reason, I was late getting up and leaving for work that Tuesday morning. As always, the morning news was blaring in the background, and I heard Matt Lauer of the TODAY show say, “We have a report of a plane hitting one of the Twin Towers.” Most of us who were adults twenty-one years ago, remember it well and can repeat the events as though they happened today. Four hijacked planes attacked the United States: two each crashing into the Twin Towers of New York City, one crashing into the Pentagon, and the fourth crashing in a field in Shanksville, PA when passengers overtook the hijackers and purposely sacrificed their lives to save others. In all, 2.977 were killed and the 19 hijackers who committed these murders committed suicide

   But I muse on a greater question: “What happened to the surge in souls turning to God from such an evil?” For months following 9-11, souls became keenly aware of their need for God and His word. Seemingly, the entire nation humbled itself in prayer, and besought the God of Heaven for His protection, asking if this was His means of punishment upon us a wicked people, and to accept our repentance and grant us His mercy. What a marvelous increase in the hearts of mankind toward God and godly things! But it was short-lived!

     I note throughout the New Testament how the Lord’s church grew when under persecution: that is until those comprising the Lord’s church grew complacent regarding their surroundings and the evil that filled those environments. I note those souls who became so calloused after once knowing the redemption of their souls, that they returned to the weak and beggarly elements of this world (Galatians 4:9). I note those souls who once redeemed from sin, left their first love (Revelation 2:4 and others who have trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith they were sanctified, an unholy thing, and did despite unto the Spirit of grace, (Hebrews 10:29). I note the eternal damnation that is in store for such souls who no longer care about God and godly things!  And I also note the eternal salvation that is promised to those who consistently fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) and remain faithful unto their deaths (Revelation 2:10).

   I pray we never again see an event like 9-11! However, I also know that presently this country and many others are in desperate need of repentance and turning to God for forgiveness! Without God, we are certainly lost! And with Him, we have the only hope of eternal salvation we will ever know! Let’s obey Him NOW rather than waiting to see if there is a more pressing time to do so!