No one saw it coming.
We had just recovered from World War Two, still working on shaking off the sorrow that had entangled us. Families were still recovering and rebuilding. In 2001, things were looking hopeful again. And on a clear day in September, no one was ready for that to end. To everyone in New York, it was just another Tuesday morning. Everything changed at 8:45 when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. 3 other attacks followed, leading to almost 3,000 deaths as a result of the terrorist attack on 9/11. Shock was followed by sorrow and then anger. We got hit by something unexpected and it was devastating.
And we’ve all been there in some way. Something or someone has hurt us, we have suffered and struggled and mourned, questioned how we were ever going to get back up and move forward. But for Christians, that recovery is always the same. We all run back to Christ, we all rebuild on His word as our foundation. I want to give you a message of hope today. That hope is found in my favorite historical speech. I found this speech two weeks ago and loved it, I think it's worth sharing so please stick around. Billy Graham, gave this address and titled it, “A Day of Victory”. At the time, victory didn’t seem to be on anyone’s mind. Most people were feeling defeated and torn, that’s what makes Billy Graham’s speech so amazing.
Addressing a mourning nation of young children who saw the disaster from their schools, grandparents who watched it from home, parents that had lost kids and families that had been ripped apart. All eyes are on Billy Graham, and these are some of the words he said to a country in tears:
“This week we watched in horror as planes crashed into the steel and glass of the World Trade Center. Those majestic towers, built on solid foundations, were examples of prosperity and creativity. When damaged, those buildings plummeted to the ground, imploding in upon themselves. Yet, underneath the debris, is a foundation that was not destroyed. Therein lies the truth of that hymn, “How Firm a Foundation.”
Yes, our nation has been attacked, buildings destroyed, lives lost. But now we have a choice: whether to implode and disintegrate emotionally and spiritually as a people and a nation; or to choose to become stronger through all of this struggle, to rebuild on a solid foundation. In that hymn, “How Firm a Foundation,” the words say, “Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,/For I am thy God, and will give thee aid;/I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,/Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”
My prayer today is that we will feel the loving arms of God wrapped around us and that as we trust in Him we will know in our hearts that He will never forsake us. And this will be a day that we will remember as a Day of Victory.”I love the way he compares our lives to the towers. We get hit with tragedy and hardships, they make us crumble and fill our life with debris, but with Christ as our foundation we are never destroyed and we can rise again. We are upheld by God's right hand and His arms are lovingly wrapped around us. The last three weeks for me have not been victory. There were points where I didn't think life could get worse, and then it did. I was getting into bed feeling defeated every night and then waking up the next morning knowing I had to keep going. Graham's words made me realize that as long as I was trusting God, I each day was a victory. I don't know what you've been through this week, I don't know how stressed out or overwhelmed you are. You may feel like everything is hopeless right now. I encourage you today to run back to Christ. Please remember His promises and His words of comfort. Remember how He has kept those that trust in Him and how He has blessed you. You may not be strong enough to face the challenges in front of you right now, but that's ok. His power is made perfect in weakness. Run to Christ and rebuild in Him as your foundation.
Billy Graham’s purpose in this message was to bring hope to the people of America and lead them back to Christ for strength. Life will hit you hard, it probably already has. But know that in everything you go through, you have a firm foundation. Beneath all the ruins and wreckage this life can cause, the foundation of Christ will never be destroyed. This is the hope that Billy Graham brought America after 9/11. This is the hope we must never forget. If you run to Christ for strength, today can be your day of victory.
