Where Was God During the Attack?

Tuesday, September 11th, 8:42 a.m. marked an event which will change many aspects of our lives permanently. The invasion of terrorist forces and the resulting loss of life and destruction alters our national sense of security. Part of that change must relate to the supposition that God would not permit our nation to be harmed in the ways that occurred last week. One editorial in a major newspaper asked how God could have allowed something so terrible to happen in our land. Perhaps many are asking similar questions. Perhaps we have assumed that we were safe because God would surely prevent such tragedies.

First, we must understand that God is absolutely sovereign. That means that all things fall within the circumference of His control.

Psalm 22:28 - For the kingdom is the LORD's, And He rules over the nations. Isaiah 45:7 - I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.

If we deny God's control we deny God. To be God is to be sovereign. That is why there can be but one true God. So, we cannot say that the events of Tuesday were outside God's control.

Second, we must affirm that God is not the author of evil. God is entirely holy, absolutely holy. He cannot sin neither can He be tempted by sin. Horrible evil was committed against thousands of our fellow citizens and against our entire nation. God was not the author or blameworthy cause of that evil.

Third, it must be acknowledged that God sometimes employs the evil actions of men and nations to accomplish His secret and sovereign will. Joseph was grievously sinned against by his brothers; but, he came to see that God intended their evil for his good. God only permits such evil in the world as He intends to use in some way for the glory of His name and for the furtherance of His kingdom. That is not to say that we will be able to understand how any particular evil will serve God's purposes. The secret things belong to God and no creature possesses the right to demand an explanation from God. Yet, we must be sure that the world is not at the mercy of evil or that evil runs out of control. God may choose to permit evil, obviously He does; but He rules over the evil He permits.

That leads to the question, why would God permit devastating evil to afflict our land? I would refer you to Deuteronomy 28 if you are sincere in wanting to know a possible answer to that question. That text was originally a promise and a warning to ancient Israel. Nonetheless, it has relevance to every group of people to whom God is pleased to grant the enormous blessing of His special revelation. We are such a people. We have possessed the Bible and some accurate understanding of its doctrine from the inception of our national history. Thus, we are under a peculiar blessing from God. If we put His Word to its intended use we are in position to receive many of the blessings promised in this chapter. If we reject God and His commands, we are in position to receive the punishments warned against in this chapter. Read the chapter carefully and think about the murder of unborn infants in our land, millions of them. Think of the unembarrassed practice of sexual immorality, the widespread habits of violence, the materialistic covetousness, and especially the willing departure from the sincere worship of God in our nation. Think of how common it is to hear God's name used as a curse word. Think of how we have outlawed the use of God's Son's name in our public institutions. Think of such things and then ask, why would God be angry with our nation?

In many respects the question is, how could God not be angry with our nation? How could He continue to bestow so many mercies upon us?

Nothing said in this article lessens the guilt of those terrorists who committed these atrocious acts. It is right that our leaders purpose to punish them with all the force that belongs to us once they are clearly identified. Yet, in our indignation and in our grief, it is also right and necessary that we as a nation humble ourselves before God. It is our duty and need to plead for His merciful forgiveness for our national sins. Will anyone be bold enough to call our nation to repentance? There are probably worse tragedies awaiting us if we refuse to see our transgressions and separate ourselves. Yet, there is great hope in the love and mercy of God. As severe as this affliction has been, it is extraordinary. God has not dealt with us over the years as we deserve. God has great mercy for us if we will repent and seek His face. Oh that He would turn us! Pray that He would turn us lest we perish!