Providence!

The lot is cast unto the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:33

“Povidence is a permanent activity of God. He is never a spectator. He always directs everything toward fulfillment. Yet God’s directing creativity always creates through the freedom of man and through the spontaneity and structural wholeness of all creatures.” Paul Tillich

This Thursday is the twenty fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Our remembrance of that day becomes a little more muted with each passing year, and yet, most of us remember exactly where we were when we heard the news.

In the last generation, which includes ours, the assasination of President John F. Kennedy was the historical marker. Each of my peers can remember that day like it was yesterday.

To this generation, the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia, and the crash in Shanksville, Pennsylvania of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001 will be our historical marker. Again, most of us can remember exactly where we were.

Providence is defined as the protective care of God, or to see in advance and propvide for. When horrific things happen, we tend to question the providencial care of God, but as a believer there are three words that should not be in our vocabulary: luck, coincidence, and fate.

On that day, we were angry, confused, and fearful. We asked questions like, “Why God, have you abandoned us? How could this happen? Will it ever happen again? ” We want peace, and yet we want vengance.

There are stories of different people who were spared that day because they stopped for coffee, were running late, or changed flights. How do we explain it? Theologian Dr. R. C. had this to say, “God’s sovereign providence stands over and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of human wills without violating the freedom of those human wills.”

On September 11, terrorists hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 after it left Newark intending to fly to Washington, D.C. The hijackers took over the cockpit on a suicide mission to create more devastation. Once the flight crew and passengers heard of the planes which crashed into the towers, they made a decision to fight back.

Todd Beamer, a passenger and one of the leaders of the group, is said to have said, “Let’s Roll” to the 911 operator and the other passengers just before they stormed the cockpit to stop the hijackers. His words became a symbol of courage and resilience inspiring others to join the effort which prevented the plane from reaching its target in Washington, D.C.

A total of 44 people died on that flight, 33 passengers, 7 crew members, and 4 terrorists. How do we explain those who gave their lives? Was it fate? Was it coincidence? Was it bravery? Was it providence?

We have many occasions in this life to ask, “Why God have you abandoned us?” We see unnecessary suffering, pain, and hardship. We endure many things which we might consider unfair. Everything from the untimely death of someone we love, to the horrific events in this world. Many of us could point to difficult times in our families, with our friends, in our community, and in our world.

The question rightly comes, “How are we to face such difficult times?” Simply put, we have to simply trust in the providence of God. None of the tragedies that we face have caught God by surprise, neither has God abdicated control of the situation. For some reason or another, God has brought these things into our lives. We need to trust Him through all of them

Hope and trust in the Lord will come as we learn to understand that God is providentially in charge of all things! A man once wrote to his minister after ahis wife’s visit with her doctor; “Tough news from our end, but God in His providence is on the throne.”

As we remember those who lost their lives, let’s also remember all the brave men and women of the police force, the fire department, the military and the emergency personnel, the doctors, nurses, and every person who gave “the last full measure of devotion.” Abraham Lincoln

Our country tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty, to thee we sing. Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light, protect us by thy might, Great God our KIng. Samuel Francis Smith