The following was presented to the Zion IL community by Pastor Ken Fielding at the request of the Zion Ministerial Association on Sunday 9/11/2011 as a fitting tribute to those whose lives were lost 10 years ago with the attack on the World Trade Towers.
May it serve you as mightily as did the emergency responders serve on that day and be kept in your hearts as a memorial to those that have fallen.
The Towers have fallen
Isaiah 9:8-13
We know that the events of 9-11 are significant because here we are a decade later and—
· We can remember where we were and what we were doing. We remember it vividly.
· We still see the planes hitting the towers. We can still shed tears over what happened that fateful day.
· Our nation was forever changed. Our innocence was lost. It could happen here.
· We have been fighting a decade long war against terrorism and Islamic extremists.
Though we recognize the significance of these events—I’m not convinced though that we understand the spiritual significance of 9-11.
Most of you don’t know me very well. I want you know from the beginning that I am a patriot. I love this country. My chest swells with pride when I hear our nation anthem being played when the gold medal is presented to an American athlete at the Olympics. (Even if it’s synchronized swimming, I’m proud.)
When I watch movies like Pearl Harbor—I’m ready to fight.
I believe that America was founded on Christian principles and the Bible.
And I get mad when someone burns a flag or a knuckle head like Michael Moore or the Dixie Chicks speaks despairingly about the greatest nation in history.
So the comments I am going to make are spoken with a broken heart because the direction I see our nation going grieves my heart.
I want you know I’m a patriotic American.
Secondly, I want you to know that believe the Bible is God’s inerrant Word. I resolutely believe the Bible.
Third, I believe God is the Creator and Sovereign of the Universe. He created everything—visible and invisible. And He rules and is in control of everything that happens. I don’t believe in happenstance, chance, or luck. I don’t believe the events of 9-11 were a surprise to the Lord. He knows every thought of every person on the planet. The Lord monitors the movements of every person. Friend, nothing takes place without His knowledge of it; His permission for it; and at times His action behind it.
So when we look back on the tragic events of a decade ago—I believe God was sending America—us a message.
In text I have chosen this evening—the nation of Israel too had suffered a tremendous tragedy. In this case, the nations surrounding Israel had risen up against her and dealt here a serious blow. The Arameans, the Philistines, and Syrians had attacked Israel and destroyed much of Ephraim and even reached the capital city of Samaria.
I remember in the wake of 9-11, pastors, politicians, and media moguls were all trying to explain the reason; to answer the questions behind this tragedy. Was it a message from God? Was it a tragic set of circumstances? Was it just one of those things?
Here in Isaiah 9:8-9—God answered this question for Israel
The lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on israel. All the people will know it—Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—
God said—this thing is My doing. I am behind it. I am using the peoples who surround you to chastise and rebuke you. This isn’t accident.
Now friends, I am not being un-American or unpatriotic—when I say that God has sent and is sending His warnings, judgments, and rebukes against this nation. What I’m suggesting may not fit your theological frame work but it does clearly fit within the parameter of God’s Word.
Here’s where I really want you to attention. This is the most important part of the message. Look at Israel’s response to the Lord’s discipline: Isaiah 9:9-10
(Ephraim and samaria) who say with pride and arrogance of heart, “the bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.
Instead of the people turning to the Lord in repentance and brokenness—a spirit of national pride welled up within them. A rugged individualism; an independent spirit; a defiant spirit—that said—WE WILL REBUILD. WE ARE A GREAT NATION. A MIGHTY PEOPLE. THIS LITTLE SET BACK WILL NOT KEEP US DOWN. WE BUILD BIGGER AND STRONGER THAN BEFORE!
Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Friends, the towers are being rebuilt. The original towers were 1368’ tall. A new tower is being built. 80 of its 104 floors are built. When it is finished it will reach 1776’ in the air. They say that from top, you will be able to see the bent of the earth at the pole.
My friends, I cannot deny that for a season it seemed that America might turn back to God. Churches were full. People gathered for prayer all across the nation. Politicians stood on Capitol Hill and sang: God bless America. And during the seventh inning stretch at baseball games—fans stood and sang the same.
It looked good—it had the appearance of repentance; of turning to the Lord. But for repentance there be considered genuine there must be fruit—as John the Baptist said—in keeping with repentance. Change has to accompany it.
Was it genuine repentance that we witnessed after 9-11? Many of the same legislators that stood in unity singing God Bless America—continued voted for legislation that funded aborts; gambling, and gay marriage. The people who sang in our stadiums—one minute afterward went right back to drinking their beer. Is that repentance?
What have done the same thing Israel did when God sought to bring correction to her. We have had a swelling of national pride but repentance is absent. Thousands have gathered to remember—but how many have gathered to repent and turn to God?
Isaiah 9:12-13—Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.
When a people comes under divine correction; when God begins to deal with us—we have one of two choices. We will either respond to the Lord with humility and brokenness and turn back to Him. Or we will hard ourselves in our self-reliance and arrogance.
Nineveh repented. From the king who sat on the throne to the lowest servant—they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And judgment was averted. Israel however, hardened themselves and would not turn back.
As I was mediating on these verses—I was thinking about how people react to being struck. If I had a switch and sneaked up on you and swatted you in the pants—you jump, you yell, move forward quickly—to get out of my reach—but then you would look back to see what just happened.
The people have not returned to him who struck them…They haven’t even looked back. They are unmoved; un-phased; unimpressed.
In fact—three times here in Isaiah 9 we read these words following a threat of impending judgments: Isaiah 9:12,17, and 21
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
Israel refused to repent and turn to the Lord—and promised further judgments. Friend, God is not finished with America. 9-11, Katrina, Tornados, drought, floods, economic crisis. If there is not repentance—genuine repentance (from the White House; to the Court House; to the school house; the church house—and your house and my house) God’s hand of reproof and judgment will strike again.
Isn’t America doing the same thing as ancient Israel? Do you want proof of our impenitent, stubborn heart?
All across America, even in NYC, all around the city—people gathered for prayer. Today, at the 9-11 Memorial Service at Ground Zero, not even a pastor nor a even a prayer is included in the program.
I’m sorry, if you came expecting a sentimental, emotional outpouring. I apologize to my brothers in ministry, if I have let you down. But I feel in my heart that God is speaking to this nation. He is speaking to us—personally; individually. He is calling us to return to Him. To humble ourselves before Him. To seek His face. To rend our hearts and not our garments.
Hosea 6:1-3—Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; HE has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; Let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
Pastor Ken Fielding – Christian Assembly of God.
