“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”1 Peter 5:8-11
Ten years have passed since the morning of September 11, 2001-a day that has defined our generation and changed every American’s life in some way. I’m sure many of us can remember places, feelings, fears, prayers, and emotions of that day and the many days that followed.
On September 11, one of the worst instances of inhumanity was shown as those seeking destruction and death took hostage innocent people and destroyed the lives of thousands. Through their actions, the evil of our world reared its ugly head and showed the true wickedness in this world.
But on the other side, we were shown the selflessness of those who worked for recovery and rescue. People selflessly gave their time, energy, money, and efforts to find those trapped and suffering, and spent of themselves for people they had never even met.
In President Bush’s address to the nation after the September 11 attacks, he said the following:
“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices. Secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers. Moms and dads. Friends and neighbors.
“Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
“The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.
“These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.
“Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.
“America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.”
Today we remember ten years since that event. Possibly the most defining day in our generation’s history has had an impact on our nation through enforcing greater security policies and changing the way we approach travel. Some speculate the attacks could have been prevented, but one thing is for sure-our nation is doing all it can to help prevent another such attack from happening.
Take a minute to realize that there is a more serious attack plotted against your life than even the terror of 9/11. Scripture warns us in 1 Peter 5 that the devil is looking to destroy our lives. He’s actively planning, plotting, and scheming how he can ruin our lives and destroy our testimonies.
Just as those terrorists actively planned to bring down America, so the devil is actively planning to bring down your Christian life. He cannot steal your salvation, but he can steal your effectiveness. Take God’s warning, and be vigilant in your defense against the evil in this world. The devil never takes a moment off from evil; don’t take a day off from vigilantly defending against him through prayer and walking with God. (From “Daily in the Word”, by Dr. Paul Chappell)
