“Who shut up the sea behind doors… when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?”
Job 38:11
On the evening of this day 20 years ago nearly every U.S. citizen who was able to comprehend what had transpired that morning listened to the words of then-president George W. Bush.
He spoke of our freedoms coming under attack, acknowledging the multitude of losses and deaths, lauding the heroism of rescuers and countless acts of strangers and neighbors.
“Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.’”
In that moment when we listened, we were probably more united than ever. The President’s words were worth heeding, but it’s his reference to God’s words from Psalm 23 that bring comfort as the years go by. Be assured that the Almighty is on the throne, declaring, “This far you may come and no farther.”
He spoke of our freedoms coming under attack, acknowledging the multitude of losses and deaths, lauding the heroism of rescuers and countless acts of strangers and neighbors.
“Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.’”
In that moment when we listened, we were probably more united than ever. The President’s words were worth heeding, but it’s his reference to God’s words from Psalm 23 that bring comfort as the years go by. Be assured that the Almighty is on the throne, declaring, “This far you may come and no farther.”
Scripture Focus
Psalm 23
Insight
“None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.” (George W. Bush, 2001)
Bible In A Year
- Song of Solomon 7-8
- Psalm 72
- John 12
