REFLECTING ON THE ATTACK
"Today our nation saw evil," said President Bush of the terrorist attacks. I would agree with the president that on Tuesday, September 11th we witnessed another example of the dark side of the human heart! How does one justify the fact that thousands of innocent lives were suddenly lost? And in response to such violent acts the President ordered U.S. armed forces to "high-alert status" and vowed to "hunt down and punish those responsible" for the attacks. In such instances, it is important that justice is carried out and that those responsible for such attacks be held accountable for their actions.
As I was reflecting upon Tuesday's activities, I was reminded of the experience of Nehemiah who found himself in a far away land because of being taken into captivity by the Babylonians. One day a report came to him from those still living in Jerusalem: "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When Nehemiah heard these things, he sat down and wept.
Today, many around the world are mourning with the United States. What was Nehemiah's plan of action to rescue his people from a far away land and bring them back into the land of Israel? His first response was not to punish Israel's enemies but rather to "confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against You. We have acted very wickedly toward You. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws You gave your servant Moses."
The question I would encourage us to consider is simply this: Is there anything we can learn from Nehemiah's situation that can be applied to today's tragedy in America? At least two things come to my attention.
The way of foolishness is to totally focus attention on the "enemy" and be consumed with the necessity for retribution.
In other words, there is no inward introspection but one lives with the assumption that one side is totally innocent while the other side is totally wrong. I remember some advice given to me by a wise retired Judge who had become a very dear friend: "Bill, if in the midst of being criticized, 95% of what they are saying is pure garbage, learn something from the 5%!" Unless the American nation are always 100% right in all their dealings with other peoples around the world, maybe those in power need to confess, like Nehemiah, the sins that they may have committed against Him and against others. In that attitude, not that of superiority but rather of humility and contrition, they are now able to proceed to 2.
The way of wisdom knows that such acts of violence needs to be stopped and those responsible brought to justice.
Only when there is justice, will there be peace! The motivation in the way of wisdom is not mere vindictiveness and anger but a longing to see peace and reconciliation! My prayer for the American nation is that not only will the acts of terrorism against them cease and that those who perpetrated such evil be brought to justice but that they in their position of power be ever sensitive and careful how they treat others!