A Nation Under Terror

Introduction – This week, God has shown forth His awful hand of chastisement upon this nation. The events are horrific. We must ground our response as a church and as a nation upon the instruction of the Word of God. In recent past, we have been unwilling to do so, for there are hard words, and this is part of the reason we have found ourselves where we are now. But for those who will humble themselves before the Lord and His instruction, there are words of comfort and hope, mercy and grace.

Did God Do This? (Amos 3:6) – Don’t skip around this one. Yes, He did. He promised the children of Israel great chastisement if they did not obey His voice (Deut 28:15, 25). Why should we expect any different?

Life is God’s Gift to Give and Take (Deut 32:39) - God has absolute rights over all of human life. We do not own it and we may not presume upon it. To have life is a gift and to lose life is never an injustice from God, no matter the person’s age, no matter the circumstance. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

Jesus Spoke of Cities Destroyed (Matt 24:1-2) – Not relegated to the Old Testament, we see God’s anger upon cities and nations just as clearly in the New.

But It Was Wicked People – As it was when Rome marched upon Jerusalem. As it was when the Assyrians hauled off Israel.

A Time For Repentance (Luke 13:1-5) There was a day when another tower fell. And there was a day when wickedness was poured out on some of ‘the good people’. Wondering if it was because of their sin, they comment to Jesus, to which He turns and basically says, ‘the most important issue is your own soul. If you do not get right with God you will likewise perish’.

A Nation Under Judgment (Rom 1:18ff) – Before we cry for justice, we must hope God does not grant us justice. We kill 4,000 babies every day. We teach our children to dishonor their parents. We profane the name of God and of His Christ. We fornicate with as many options as our wicked minds can imagine. We are a nation of whiners and coveting complainers even though we are the richest nation in the history of the world.

Be Careful of Staged Religion (Matt 23:23-28) – Our nation is called to prayer, but is not directed as to whom to pray. God is not pleased when a nation promotes polytheism as an acceptable form of petition. Pluralism is a liar and a murderer.

Repentance Starts Here (1 Pet 4:12-19) – Do not be arrogant towards ‘them’. The church has taught them all how to worship this way. We must turn back ourselves first. And this means you and your household as well.

Understand God’s Instrument of Vengeance (Rom 12:19 – 13:4) – When God tells us to leave room for His vengeance, He is not calling us to pacifism. He has given the sword to the state. And if we are willing to let the Word judge us, we may use the Word to judge others. We are required by God to take action – against terrorists, and their accomplices.

But Do Not Trust In Horses (Is 31:1) – Our strength is not in our resolve nor our weapons. Our strength must be in the Lord and in His righteousness.

Glimpses of Mercy (Psalm 25:6-7) – God has not dealt with us according to His justice. We should be asking why that fourth plane didn’t reach its target – and why only four planes? He loves mercy (Mic 7:18). And we must remember the ocean of mercy we swim in even now (Psalm 136).

President “Jotham” (2 Kings 15:32-35) – We have been granted a president who professes to seek to honor and serve the Lord in all he does, and this is a great mercy to us. But he has not yet removed the ‘high places’. There is no anonymous ‘higher power’. There is only the Lord Jesus Christ.

Instruments of Mercy (Matt 5:7) – We must seek to be ministers to the needs of our broken Christian brothers and sisters. We must love our enemies and pray for them. We must be a people filled with tender mercies towards one another. Then there will be evidence that God is being merciful and will be merciful to us. This is the time to let them see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Mercy of the Gospel (John 14:1, 2 Chron 7:14) – When London was afflicted with Cholera in 1866, Spurgeon said “It seemed to me as if the veil between time and eternity were more transparent than usual”. These times remind us individually, and nationally, of our need of a Savior. Hear His call today. Proclaim His grace and glory to the nations.

The Work of Worship (Heb 12:22-24) – Do not gather here thinking this is simply a place of shelter and comfort, though it is that. This is a place of warfare. You are on Mt. Zion. Here Jesus Christ reigns and will bring all nations under His feet (Psalm 2, 110). Here is the Mediator of the new covenant. Here is the Prince of Peace. And He will have His peace.

Dave Hatcher, September 16, 2001