The following is an original devotion by Pastor Larry A. Hoffsis, Graceworks Mission Integration Consultant. The words are in memory of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Newspaper headlines today warn of another attack. New Yorkers are asked to be vigilant. Fear is again in the air…literally. A case in point: my cousin was going to fly from Mobile to join her two sisters in Minneapolis this weekend, that is, until she realized that this weekend is the 10^th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. Ten years later, our elective decisions are still influenced by the fear the attack created.

Where to turn? Like many of you, I instinctively turn to the Bible.  And where in the Bible? To a psalm that has been blessing our church for a long time—Psalm 46.

Just listen to the calming influence of the open verses:

God is our refuge and strength,

                        a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

                        though the earth should change,

                        though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;

                        though its waters roar and foam,

                        though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

After more words of assurance, the psalm gives us this refrain:

            The Lord of hosts is with us;

                        the God of Jacob is our refuge.  

To read Psalm 46 in the context of this weekend leads one to conclude that the author must have lived through events as earth-shattering and fear-provoking as those we remember ten years ago.

“Though the earth should change.” Our world changed that day.

“Though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.” Those man-made skyscraper mountains shook that day and collapsed in the heart of the city.

“Though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” The mountains of our self confidence and security, symbolized in these engineering and architectural wonders, trembled, toppled and the tumult resulted in a still-felt fearfulness.

Although that emotion was predictable and understandable, in lifting our eyes beyond the towers to God, we find an antidote for crippling fear. It is confident faith. 

Many had warned Martin Luther not to go to Worms to appear before the Emperor. The twin towers of state and church were crumbling as his protectors. One declared him an outlaw, the other a heretic. Where to turn? He turned to Psalm 46, which further directed him to place faith in the One whose protection would not crumble. God, neither state nor church, is our refuge and strength.          

This God is still a very present help in our time of trouble. This is the reason we do not fear, even though we have experienced the trauma of 9/11 and live today with a continuation of threats. 

The same Lord of hosts who was with Luther, is with us. The same God of Jacob is our refuge.

Prayer:

Oh God, you are our refuge. Give us what is appropriate for this weekend: moments of silence to honor the memory of the fallen, arms of mercy to support the grieving, amazing grace to overcome evil with good, and an abiding faith in you to override our fear. We pray this in the name of Emmanuel, the One you sent to convince us that you are and remain with us.  Amen  

Photo: New York City, USA - May 6, 2011: The World Trade Center Cross, also known as The Ground Zero Cross, is seen being viewed by people along Church Street, Lower Manhattan.