Do we remember?

<<THIS IS A BIT I WROTE ON THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11, BUT IT APPLIES WELL TO OUR RESPONSE AS A PEOPLE OVER THE ASSASSINATION OF OSAMA BIN LADEN>>

Let me warn you right now, you probably won't like what I am writing here.  I didn't like the thought when I first saw it, but it is a convicting thought.  Nine years ago yesterday our nation was attacked and inflicted with the terror of an enemy who could destroy the very security and freedom we as Americans value more than anything.  

As if it were encouragement then Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle quoted Isaiah 9:10 which says: "The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars." (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/terror/articles/010914/misc/terror.htm)

And we are in fact rebuilding, the cornerstone for Freedom Tower was laid on July 16, 2004 and many are even angry that Freedom Tower is not yet complete.  That cornerstone is inscribed in memory of the fallen and "as a tribute to the enduring Spirit of Freedom."  The hewn stone is placed and we will rebuild it even higher so no one will ever forget that day and the American way of life.  Consider what George Pataki, then Governor of New York, said at the stone laying ceremony, "Let this great freedom tower show the world that what our enemies sought to destroy - our democracy, our freedom, our way of life - stands taller than ever before." (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/17/national/main624595.shtml)

In fact there was even a very large, very old sycamore tree which was made quite a thing of near ground zero.  A shard of metal pierced the tree and the blast felled it, but it protected a nearby church from damage.  The roots have been bronzed and placed at the church and the tree was replaced by an Arz Tree [literally 'Cedar of God'] (http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30917FD3A550C758CDDAE0894DD404482)   

Now read the context of Isaiah 9:8-21.  It is really about the judgement of God against past Israel as a nation leading to their exile into Babylon.  They were attacked once as a warning and opportunity to repent and return to the Lord.  Their response is to say "in pride and arrogance of their heart" (v9:9) what is quoted in v9:10 about rebuilding the fallen stones and trees.  v9:11 says the Lord therefore raises up enemies of Rezin (firmness literally - historically a Syrian king) and joins all their enemies against them.

Little more... 

v9:13 "But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty."

v9:16 "Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray." 

Also consider the sentiment of the Builders at Babel... Genesis 11:4 "Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”  That ended the same way as past Israel's rebuilding project of Isaiah 9:10.  Also consider Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Isaiah 9:8-21 is a section about wrath / judgement against pride and arrogance.  I submit this not necessarily for its prophetic merit toward America, which is arguable.  Rather consider your own heart, is it like mine that swells with pride in America or worse in itself?  Do you stand for the Spirit of Freedom above all else... above even the Lord?  The American Spirit is one of rebellion and revolution, one of individual strength and power ~ it is natural for us to resist submitting to the Lord.   Where then are we placing our trust and what then are we giving our worship to ~ ourselves and not the Lord?  (re)Turn to the Lord.

Now consider Isaiah 9:1-7, (specifically v6-7) it is the fortelling of the coming of the Christ and his Reign on his return.  

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

Is Christ the Lord of your life?  Is He the Lord of our land?  Believe it or not - He is in fact Lord.