Titus 2 Men And Women

Our God, Our Refuge, Our Strength
by Teddi Neevel

Psalm 46:1-3 & 10

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

This fall has been a tumultuous time. I’m sure that each of us watched in stunned horror when the World Trade Center was attacked. If you are like me, you sat and watched, for hours, the senseless destruction and loss of lives. As I watched the destruction unfold, I kept listening for the sound of a trumpet.

Then I gradually began to focus on the implications of this attack and to think back over the history of the United States since World War II.  When I think of the technological and social changes that have been made since 1945 I realize we have a generation of young adults that have no basis for understanding what they are likely to face in the coming months.

There is a wide diversity in ages in this country. Some are old enough to have memories of WWII, the victory gardens and ration books. Several more of us can remember the occasional radio news broadcast of the fighting in the Korean War. Those of us, who were in school in the 1950’s, remember having air raid drills more often then we had fire drills. Although, what possible protection we would have had by huddling beneath a small wooden desk is very questionable. Some of us remember family or friends building fallout shelters in their yards.

In the 1960’s the United States was involved in the Vietnam War. Because America had not been physically attacked there were many people that felt we should not be involved. People burned flags and ran to other countries to avoid being drafted. We had moved into the age of television. Every night there were reports of the fighting and of the protesting.  When our military personnel returned home, they were reviled and ignored.

Since then we have basically been at peace as a nation. We have said we are too strong, no one would dare to attack us. We have been appropriately scandalized by an occasional act of terrorism in some foreign country. We spent a few un-easy months during Desert Storm but never quite felt that it was our war. A few members of our family and friends were doing their duty and we wore a flag or yellow ribbon.

Now, suddenly, we have been attacked on our soil. This is our battle, our war. Will it effect us, those of us reading this web site? I believe that it will. I believe that each one of us is going to be faced with some very hard times, days of separation, anxiety and for some of us deep grief.

I counted up my immediate family members the other day. I have 24 male family members that range in age from 18 to 42. Each of you could come up with a count of your own.

Some people are already saying we need to just arrest the leader of the terrorist group and everything will be fine. That is an illogical statement. History has shown that the arrested terrorist only becomes a martyr to his followers and a new leader would step forward.

Having said all of that, we need to plan for the future. We need to know the unshakable basis of our faith.

What can we do to be prepared?

1.)    Make sure that your relationship with God is right.

Many preachers are trying to convince others that the wickedness in our country is responsible for the actions of the terrorists this week. Some pastors are preaching that this devastation is a judgement of God against America. I do believe the Bible teaches that the sin of nations will be judged, however the terrorist attack on America is not that judgement. The nation judgement will take place during the tribulation.

II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

This verse is written to God’s people, to people called by his name. As Christians, we must humbly seek God and pray for personal forgiveness. We must turn away from our wickedness so that God can use our witness to show others His love through Christ Jesus.

2.)    We must pray for the leaders of our country no matter how we feel about their politics. Praying for the world’s leaders is not just a good idea, it is a commandment.

I Timothy 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Daniel 2:21-23 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

3.) We must pray for each other and uphold each other in the truth of the Bible. Are you receptive to the Holy Spirit? On September 11^th the Holy Spirit convicted me of the need to pray for the GI’s from Viet Nam. They were not awarded the respect that the US military personnel from previous wars had received. Their personal battles with post traumatic stress syndrome were ignored for years. Their justifiable fears from exposure to Agent Orange were brushed away as being insignificant.

On September 11, 2001, many men and women were transported, in their mind’s eye, back to the horrors they endured in Viet Nam. Pray for them, as their struggle continues.

I Samuel 12:23-24 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

4.)    We must pray that God will fight for us.

That does not mean that we as a nation do nothing, but that we pray for God to prepare the way as our husbands, brothers, sons, and grandsons face the coming battle. Turning the other cheek will not stop terrorism. Terrorism thrives on the inability or unwillingness of a person or people to defend themselves.

Psalm 60:11-12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

5.)    Pray that people will be saved.

We can not coerce people to be saved but we can pray for the Holy Spirit to convict the unsaved of their need and to draw them to Calvary.

II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Fear grows when it is fed and our media has a great big spoon. Anthrax is a terrible disease. My heart grieves for those who have suffered and are suffering with the illness and loss of life. However, the idea that every person in America is at risk of contracting Anthrax is unrealistic.

The terrorist wisely chose whom they would attack with this germ. If the cases had been in Dunbar, WI, Greenbrier, AR, and in Watertown, NY they wouldn’t have even made the national news. Instead the germ attacks were against people in the national new media and the federal government. By focusing on the germ attack against themselves, the media is feeding the twinges of concern in society. As long as the focus is on Anthrax, the fear will continue to grow and in some people it will become hysteria.

We have all felt and will all feel fear, grief, anger and pain during the days ahead. I do believe that there will be more attacks against the United States in the days to come; however my screaming in fear will change nothing. We must be able to speak to and comfort others in the stedfastness of our faith.

Psalm 121:1-9 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

PRAYER: Father God, you are our refuge and our strength. As Christian people our hearts are your earthly temples, your dwelling place and you are the Prince of Peace. Lord, let your peace be a deep enduring river flowing through us. Though the world is in chaos around us, keep us unmovable and serenely focused on you and your goodness. Lord, direct the minds of those in leadership over our military forces and allies, go before them and prepare the way. Let them see the power your hand and know your presence in their midst. In Jesus name, Amen.

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