Romans 8:28 (KJV)

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

September 11th, 2001, is a day forever etched in our memory. How could such devastation occur? How could God allow so much pain and suffering? These are difficult questions, and the answers are not always easy to understand. But in times of tragedy, we can seek refuge in God's word.

He is always at work, even in the midst of the darkest moments.

God, in His infinite wisdom, can bring good out of even the most painful situations. It’s natural to struggle with the idea of God allowing suffering, especially when we face something as devastating as the events of 9/11. The loss of life, the destruction, and the pain caused many of us to question him. But through it all, God calls us to trust in His greater plan, a plan that we may not fully understand in this life.

In our experience, we often find it hard to see how good can come from evil and how light can emerge from darkness. Yet, God uses the contrast between good and evil, life and death, to help us appreciate the beauty and value of life. Without the pain of loss, could we truly understand the depth of love? Without experiencing the darkness, would we ever fully appreciate the light? Without death, can we truly appreciate life? It's truly impossible.

Jesus Himself experienced the ultimate act of evil and suffering when He was crucified on the cross.

But through His death, the greatest good was accomplished—our salvation.

In the same way, while we may not understand why God allows certain things to happen, we can trust that He is at work, bringing about His purpose in ways we cannot see.

Without the night, we can never experience dawn; without the suffering at the cross, we can never know salvation.

The cross is the ultimate reminder that God understands our pain, and He has already provided the solution through Jesus.

The events of 9/11 brought out both the worst and the best in humanity. In the face of evil, we saw acts of heroism, sacrifice, and love. Strangers helping strangers, communities coming together, and a nation united in grief and hope.

These glimpses of light in the darkness remind us that God’s goodness can shine even in the most tragic circumstances.

It is in darkness where we start to appreciate the light.

Just like we remember those who lost their lives, let us also remember that God is with us in our pain. He understands our suffering, and He promises to bring comfort and hope. The tragedies we experience in this life, whether on a national scale or in our personal lives, are not the end of the story. 

God’s plan is bigger than we can imagine, and His love is deeper than we can comprehend.

Amen!