The week of September 11th, 2001, time stood still. It seemed as though Yesterday, Today, and Forever stood shoulder to shoulder, staring into the blackness of the New York sky, mourning over a ditch in western Pennsylvania, and saluting the charred side of the Pentagon.

Businesses shut down, schools closed, our nation was transfixed for hours and days with our TV’s and radios. Yesterday, Today, and Forever would never be the same.

Candice Trigonis, a police detective from New York, said: “I worked 19 hours yesterday. I’ve been here since 5 o’clock this morning. I’m tired. I’m angry. Upset. I’m afraid to cry because if I start, I’ll never stop.”

Just as the nation was beginning to realize the breadth and depth of that horrific event, President Bush said: “Today we’ve had a national tragedy.”

And already thinking about “forever,” Congressman Mark Green said: “Nothing will be the same in this country after today. Nothing.”

Yesterday, Today, and Forever collided on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, and caused one big, fiery ball that radiated fear into the hearts of Americans. Another “day that would live in infamy.”

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:5b-8

Even if we lose everything we own: “goods, fame, child, and wife,” we still have the presence of a Father who loves and forgives. Earthly economic and military power is frail and fragile. Human life is frail and fragile. But “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:1-2,7)…yesterday, today, and forever.

When we ask, “Why?” God shows us the cross. It was there that evil was used for good. No worse terror could there be than the Son of God suffering hell. No worse enemy could there be than the devil himself. No more awful experience could there be than God’s Son being crushed under the weight of the world’s sin. But through His divine bravery and courage He willingly faced it all so out of the depths would arise new life, new victory, new hope, and new hope…for yesterday, today, and forever…for you.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Our nation, our world, our lives may never be the same again. But Jesus is always the same. Through all the changes and chances of life Christ is, above all, unchanging in His faithfulness. He offered Himself for sinners in the past, He intercedes for us in the present, and will forever remain our faithful Savior.

“On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” …Yesterday, Today, and Forever.

How have the events of 9/11 impacted your faith?