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Since the disasters that happened Sept. 11, 2001, it’s been on my mind how miraculous it seems to me that something like it didn’t happen sooner. It’s also been on my mind that there really is no way we can keep ourselves safe from terrorism. If one destroys the people doing it, there’s only more to follow. Yet Someone must have been keeping our country safe and of course that Someone is God. Our human means will never keep us safe. If people really want to hurt us, they will. But God can keep our country safe and other people safe around the world. He obviously had been keeping the USA safe before Sept. 11, 2001 and He can continue to do that. God in His mercy saved many people on that horrible day, but with God it never had to happen at all. With God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). But I don’t know why it happened. I know that God’s was the first of all hearts to break when it did happen. Something I became aware of from the pastor at a church I went to in Oregon. I don’t know why God did not completely stop the disasters from happening on Sept. 11, 2001. But I do know that His was the first of all hearts to break when it did happen.
I know of some of the promises God has for us as written in the Bible. And by His promises we know He’ll keep our country safe, NO MATTER WHAT others may try.
Here is a conviction and a promise that will keep yourself and your home safe: “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15) and “If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the Lord, who is my refuge—then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent” (Psalm 91: 9, 10).
Here is a promise to keep our country safe: “If My people who are called by name humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
In regards to God’s promise as stated in 2 Chronicles 7:14, I have prayed along these lines: “God I am a stubborn person and afraid that I won’t do what’s right unless You make me. I want You to make me to do what’s right and I know You can do anything. God, please call me by my name and make me to humble myself and make me to pray. Make me to seek Your face and turn from my wicked ways. Then God, please hear me from heaven and forgive my sin. Please, dear God, heal my land.”
Prayer is surely the greatest power we have on Earth. Yet it is not wrong for us to make plans in pursuit of helping ourselves. King Solomon said, “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord” (Proverbs 20:24 NIV). Therefore, we should go forth and make out plans knowing that it’s God who directs our steps. Of course prayerful consideration is wise.
And that is how I see it as to what we can do to keep our country and ourselves safe. We need to recognize God’s promises and what they require of us and we need to make our plans knowing that it’s God who directs our steps. I pray we turn to God so we aren’t hurting Him anymore. Our pain pains Him before it pains us. I know we will continue to hurt Him until His government reigns alone among us, but it doesn’t hurt to pray.