Never Forget by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 09/11/2006 at 10:00 PM

I found Ben's post encouraging. As Ben pointed out, Scripture tells us physical anguish and death are results of the fall — painful reminders of man's rebellion against God. Jesus Himself understood the tragedy caused by sin when He wept over the death of His friend Lazarus. And yet, when our world groans under sin, we, as believers, must choose how we will respond. 

I recently heard Dr. Nabeel Jabbour, a Christian and expert on Islam, speak about the tremendous affect 9/11 had on Christians and their attitudes toward Muslims. Prior to 9/11, evangelicals were making great strides in reaching the 10/40 window, which contains many Islamic nations. But, Dr. Jabbour suggests, the anger that resulted from 9/11 created a setback. The enemy used it to harden our hearts against people who desperately need to know the Savior.

I have always loved the quote by Hudson Taylor, founder of Inland China Mission: "It matters not how great the pressure is, but where the pressure lies — whether it comes between you and God or drives you closer to His breast."

Do we allow tragedy — personal or national — to press us to God's heart? Or do we unknowingly allow bitterness and hatred to take root? As I reflect on the horror of 9/11, I am reminded that God —  "who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all" — extends love and mercy not only to the victims of this terrible tragedy but to all people who need to know Him. That is the heart of God — that all peoples and nations come to know Him. And that is something I never want to forget.   

Never Forget by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 09/11/2006 at 10:00 PM

I found Ben's post encouraging. As Ben pointed out, Scripture tells us physical anguish and death are results of the fall — painful reminders of man's rebellion against God. Jesus Himself understood the tragedy caused by sin when He wept over the death of His friend Lazarus. And yet, when our world groans under sin, we, as believers, must choose how we will respond. 

I recently heard Dr. Nabeel Jabbour, a Christian and expert on Islam, speak about the tremendous affect 9/11 had on Christians and their attitudes toward Muslims. Prior to 9/11, evangelicals were making great strides in reaching the 10/40 window, which contains many Islamic nations. But, Dr. Jabbour suggests, the anger that resulted from 9/11 created a setback. The enemy used it to harden our hearts against people who desperately need to know the Savior.

I have always loved the quote by Hudson Taylor, founder of Inland China Mission: "It matters not how great the pressure is, but where the pressure lies — whether it comes between you and God or drives you closer to His breast."

Do we allow tragedy — personal or national — to press us to God's heart? Or do we unknowingly allow bitterness and hatred to take root? As I reflect on the horror of 9/11, I am reminded that God —  "who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all" — extends love and mercy not only to the victims of this terrible tragedy but to all people who need to know Him. That is the heart of God — that all peoples and nations come to know Him. And that is something I never want to forget.