RETURN and REPENT--DON'T REHEARSE TRAGEDY!

Today is September 11th, the 15th anniversary of the collapse of the twin towers and other dramatic attacks upon the Republic.  I dread this day--not because of the vivid memories attached to the event, but because of the despondency that will prevail across America at the end of the "Day of Remembrance."  So, what's the goal of "remembering" and rehearsing horrific tragedies like 9-11, Pearl Harbor or the Jewish Holocaust?  So that we'll never forget?  So, we won't allow it to happen again?  History has shown us that no matter how grand our intentions to eliminate evil, these horrors and tragedies will occur again because "The heart of man is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" ~ Jeremiah 17:9 Without the redeeming power of the Cross, these tragedies will continue.

Is it to honor the dead and their memories that we devote each anniversary to rehearsing the day? Who remembers? Not the fallen! "For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten." ~ Ecclesiastes 9:5

So what should be our response to 9-11? The fallen will always be remembered in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. This is true with any tragedy, no matter how great or small. However, our Kingdom Preppers' Guide provides God's response with which we should engage in times of trouble to avoid an invitation to depression, despondency, sorrow and regret. The entire script that Paul wrote to the Philippians is rich with such guidance in times of tragedy:

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and pressing forward to what is ahead ..." ~ Philippians 3:13

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, think about these things, and the God of peace will be with you." ~ Philippians 4:6-8

This is the season of Teshuvah--the time of repentance. Tragedies occur to bring us to repentance, not remembrance. Only the redemptive power of what Yeshua Messiah wrought for us can reconcile and bring meaning to these devastating events.

"When you see these things begin to happen, Look Up!

Lift up your head, for your Redemption draws near." ~ Luke 21:28