9/11...When Peace Overcomes Fear

"Do not fret because of evil men..." (Psalm 37:1)

The words of the Psalmist seem somewhat naive in this twenty-first century world. There are men and women who do evil things, sometimes in the context of greed and for personal gain; sometimes out of a warped sense of allegiance to their country or in support of their particular ideological perspective; sometimes in the name of religion.

September 11 reminds us of evil that has been done for reasons listed above. I had only been at Westwood a few weeks, when the events of 9/11 literally exploded before our eyes. I remember the sense of shock that came as we listened to the radio broadcasts in the church office and later watched the painful video replays of those devastating moments. Fear, anger, suspicion, and uncertainty were unwelcome guests as that day unfolded, and one could argue that they still lurk just beneath the surface in many of our minds in anticipation of another such attack.

David knew the joy of victory and the terrible sting of personal loss and grief. He wrote in the thirty-seventh Psalm, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret...it leads only to evil." In the aftermath of evil acts, one can easily allow the emotions of the moment to overcome, clouding one's perspective...motivating one to act on the darkest expressions of human weakness. But there is another choice. Again, David writes in Psalm 37, "Turn from evil and do good." These are words that speak of intentional actions that do not destroy in fits of retaliation, but build in expectation of a better day. This wisdom is summed up in verse 37 of this great Psalm; "...there is a future for the man of peace."

I stood in the pulpit at Westwood Baptist Church on the Sunday after 9/11, and preached from this text. The following is an excerpt from that sermon.

"Amidst the rubble of broken buildings and broken lives...amidst the austerity of shattered dreams and unfulfilled promise...amidst the painful questions of faith that have no easy answers, again we are reminded that there is a future for the man, the woman, of peace. Understand that this peace is not defined by ceasing hostilities or hushed rhetoric. It is not gained through crushing military victory or hasty retaliation. It is defined by a relationship which empowers a person to face the dangers and uncertainties of this world with confidence and hope. This peace is defined by the One who said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you, therefore, let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.'"

The message on 9/11/09 is the same as it was in those dark hours of 9/11/01..."Do not fret because of evil men." May the peace of Christ be with you on this day and every day.

JKA