Concerning a September 11…
of Any Kind
by Pastor Jack Hayford
Since September 11, 2001—depending upon our place in Christ’s Body,
your geography, relationships, or ministry role—varied demands have
fallen upon each of us. Ripping, rending crises not only tear those
directly impacted, they shake and shatter people everywhere. Sheep-tending
carries unusual requirements when any part of our world caves in.
Within hours following the events in New York and Washington, through
the following two weeks, like others, I served a bittersweet task—bitter
by reason of the need; sweet by reason of the opportunity to offer
healing truth and prayer. Doors opened across our Nation to speak
into the lives of many—some only seeking comfort, others seeking
some meaning in their torment amid the apparently meaningless. Usually
via telephone, I was invited into nearly a dozen radio and television
venues—local, regional, national. Network reporters and talk show
hosts ask hard questions in such moments. I was glad that, in most
cases, they were sensitive enough to not require “sound bite”
size answers.
Reviewing the most frequently asked, I realized how often these
same questions are thrown your way. Every pastor and church leader
faces situations they need to address on these themes, either in
local news or with individuals we serve. With crises—be it a national
or global disaster, or a car wreck maiming or killing someone in
your congregation—a genre of questions inevitably surface. What
follows addresses questions asked regarding September 11, but the
“thought grid” involved is offered for what value it
might serve. These answers, while brief, are my effort at providing
people (believers and unbelievers alike) helpful, clear thinking
answers rooted in God’s Word. I realize my responses may conflict
with some. However, I am troubled by the fact that even Christians
often yield to ideas that, at most, are only philosophical answers
flavored by theological prejudice or popular opinion. Let me invite
your consideration of the following, hoping these concepts will
hep you to address not only the events of that day, but of your
present circumstances as well.
Question #1: Was this a judgment of God?
Answer: All sin exposes human beings to judgment, so perhaps it
is always wise to inquire into this at some point. However, I do
not believe this is the right question to ask first, though evil
or destructive things should prompt this honest personal inquiry:
To what degree is my repentance (not others’) being called for or
overdue?
Plague, famine, war, disaster, tragedy, and calculated evil are
constant points of vulnerability to humanity by reason of our sin,
sinning, or outright godless rebellion; but it is deeply troubling
to me to witness the inclination of some Christians to make a rush
to judgment anytime something tragic or disastrous occurs. Jesus
addressed this human disposition in Luke 13: 1-5, noting two things:
(a) that every one of us need to repent to avert judgment, and (b)
that no one is, in God’s eyes, deemed more worthy of judgment than
others.
The terrorist attack on our Nation on Sept. 11, 2001 (or any other
visitation of human or hellish awfulness) calls believers more to
identify with the brokenness and pain present among those impacted,
than to seize this as a platform to issue self-righteous denunciations
of sin. Yes! Sin does reap a bitter harvest. Yes! America is a sinful
nation. But, No! I don’t believe God slashed New York and Washington
apart in order to get even with America. In speaking to a blinded,
broken society, my understanding of God’s present judgment relates
to that which He visited long ago on His own Son, when He dealt
conclusively with all sin with unmeasured grace and redemptive power.
When people are torn, I believe the Church is to rise with love,
comfort, service, and redemptive hope. We should teach the Good
Samaritan’s contribution to the healing process of the broken, rather
than the religionists’ separatism. This is how Jesus taught neighborliness,
with a definition requiring partnership in pain, not condescension
toward those apart from God. I hold no casual attitude toward sin.
But I fear some sincere believers hold too casual an attitude toward
God’s mercy—especially at times people need to hear of it from us
who have tasted His love.
Question #2: Why does God allow evil things
to happen?
Answer: In the face of horror, pain, or evil’s apparent success;
a whole Bible answer will make clear that these things are neither
acts of God nor willed by Him. Proof-texting philosophical opinions
by referencing Job’s struggle or by quoting Romans 8:28 out of context,
only plays to perpetuating the confusion. The error that blames
God for everything that happens in this world, or the old thought
that suggests, “Well, God at least ‘permitted’ it, so it is
His will,” belies a fundamental fact of Scripture. God’s sovereign
will is that human beings have a free will. What a person or group
does with that freedom of choice only reflects the will of God to
the degree they choose to come under the government of His will.
Further—beside being the fruit of sinful, willful humans—so much
of evil’s momentary victories are spawned in and spewed from hell…of
satanic origin. When the existence of such malignancy manifests,
never concede that God is somehow tolerant of evil or standing powerless
before it. Rather, affirm that His love does grant the power to
choose good or evil. Proclaim the even greater love He is ready
to show, love that is ever present to work redemptively and restoringly,
love that ultimately overpowers the ability of evil’s devices to
succeed.
The Cross indicates the lengths to which God will go to patiently
pursue breaking the flesh’s and the devil’s power by His love. God’s
present choice to not exercise His sovereign might (which could
exterminate all participants in sin and evil in a split-second)
is matched to His sovereign love. That love, allowing humankind
to choose its own course (including partnering with evil unto the
most grotesque consequences), is neither indifferently passive nor
aggressively active when horrible things happen. Rather, He is redemptively
present—now and always. And He will continue to be redemptively
present until the day He shall consummate His longsuffering patience
with demonic visciousness and human corruption. James 5:1-8 reveals
this posture toward the present; and this passage reveals that it
is only when Jesus comes to establish the Ultimate Kingdom’s order
shall God’s ordained "miseries" come upon the wicked.
Question #3: What should believers do
in the wake of September 11?
Answer: Engage new levels of intercession.
First, by praying for success in finding and executing the perpetrators
of this recent evil. So many believers wondered, “Is it right
to want to see retribution on those who did these things?”
Because of the biblical truth that vengeance belongs to God alone
(Psalm 94:1; Romans 12:19), some mistakenly suppose this disallows
human retributive action. The Bible shows the opposite: Romans 1-4
reveals that God wills human government as “His ministers”
for executing His wrath and judgment upon evil. Thereby, we understand
I Timothy 2:1-3 as directing the Church’s intercessory role for
government; which is how God avenges evil through human instruments,
and how "a quiet and peaceable life" is gained in our
society.
Second, intercession is the most certain means for securing hope,
recovery, and—by God’s grace—revival and restoration in the land.
Jeremiah’s prophecy of “a future and a hope” was spoken
to a people also surviving the ransacking of a city (Jer. 29:11).
Here is the reason—beyond the ravaging of our Nation’s most symbolic
city and the shattering of our Nation’s emotions—that we may prayerfully
expect a visitation of God’s grace across America. But it won’t
come without prayer’s pursuit. Crisis may stir desperate cries for
God’s help (and He mercifully answers even the most undeserving),
but only sustained intercession will bring penetrating spiritual
renewal.
The bottom line of September 11 is a call to faith and expectation—through
prayer. We who lead must interpret the moment, then we must call
God’s people to faith-filled prayer and ministry. Beyond all questions,
and our efforts at answers; I see God is standing in the wings—even
now—not only available to comfort and heal America, but to save
and transform her. Join me in pursuing the faith-filled conviction
that God is near and ready to meet us with great grace—great grace!
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Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233