12 Sep, 2007
Tower of refuge and strength
A look at 9/11 then...now...and in the future...
The twin towers of New York City's World Trade Center smolder (top) after terrorists flew two jetliners into them on the morning of September 11, 2001. The towers would soon collapse, killing about 2,750 people and making the Empire State Building (bottom) the tallest building in the city for the first time since 1972.
(artist's rendition)
By 2011, Freedom Tower, built on the site of the former trade center, is expected to surpass the 1931 landmark in height, if not in the hearts of New Yorkers.
photo & text courtesy news.nationalgeographic.com and images.google.com
Psalm 61:1-3 (NLT)
Lead Me to the Rock
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
1 O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!
2 From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
3 for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
The striking "then and now" photo of the twin towers on 9/11 got me thinking about the "then and now" picture of our spiritual lives. Before we entrust our lives to Jesus we are headed for destruction without God as our tower of strength.
What is the "now" and "future" picture we see from David in today's God's Story scripture?
It sounds like David is writing this Psalm away from his home. Obviously God is not limited to any location in the world, because He created it and controls it.
David knows that he can cry out to God because he can trust Him. He wrote this when he was on the run from his enemies - during the days of Absalom's rebellion and Saul's attempts to kill him while hiding in the wilderness.
The terrorist enemies of America destroyed the towers in New York and our country can expect more attacks. No earthly power or might can guarantee our safety.
It's a different story with our Almighty, All-Powerful God. He doesn't promise us an escape from all trouble, every problem, or attacks from our enemy, Satan.
BUT, God promises to be our tower of strength and He is indestructible! Ultimately, we will find eternal refuge in Him. God will always be in the picture for you...now...and in the future.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Let the LORD know how you need Him to be your tower of strength right now. Call out to Him for safety by scrolling up to today's passage and use David's words as your prayer.
- Memorize today's scripture or place it where you will regularly see it. Use this to remind yourself to call upon the LORD to be your tower of refuge.
- Spend a couple of minutes in worship. If you've been connected to a church for awhile, you've heard the praise song, SHOUT TO THE LORD. Sing it to Jesus right now and/or go to: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Shout-To-The-Lord-lyrics-Chris-Tomlin/98056044A3424EF348256DF20024CAA8
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
- Your friends or family who don't know Jesus do not have God as their tower of strength right now. You can help connect them to this part of God's Story by being a source of strength to them in difficult times. It's as simple as caring, listening, and just being there for them.
- If you're in a big city with tall buildings, use it as a conversation starter to share part of your story - that God is your indestructible tower! If you're not in a city with tall buildings, use the imagery of the 9/11 towers to share this part of your story with others who need Christ.
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