Romans 8:28
Preaching
Windows For Life
Inspirational And Devotional Illustrations
If there was ever a time when this Bible verse had tremendous significance, it has been during the time that has passed since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, fell on America.
The God who brought the most positive force of redemption ever known, from the tragic death of his Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross of Calvary, is again at work in the lives of persons: yes, persons in all different denominations and religious faith organizations. We also consider persons with various racial heritages and different nationalities, as they tell us they feel his Divine Presence.
We are hearing more frequently how redemption is coming to persons whose lives were shattered by the loss of a loved one, either in the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, or at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Many stories have appeared in the news media about what people have done in the elapsed time since "Nine Eleven." Surely God is at work in their lives.
Support groups have sprung up in places such as lower Manhattan, New York City, and in the nation's capital city. People come together to share their stories and to comfort each other. Slowly they are working their way out of their grief.
Many persons were bitter and cried out, "O God, why did you do this to me?" or "Why did God let this happen to me?" as they faced the reality that their husband or wife would not be coming back to them. Some of them, now, can see that God is at work in their lives for good. Some, now, can even smile again.
Some have had pastors or priests or rabbis help them to understand that though God permits tragic things to happen, he does not want things to be that way. When evil persons set out to commit premeditated murder, such as the events on "Nine Eleven" were to be, satanic forces were at work. In this world of moral freedom, evil choices were made with far-reaching consequences.
What else could it be but God at work in the lives of the volunteers who stepped up to assume tremendous responsibility, all the way from giving aid to exhausted firemen by preparing food and refreshment for them as they came off duty at Ground Zero to offering child care for a parent who had lost a loved one.
How grateful we all must be to know that God is for us and with us in any moment of our lives. That is true redemption, a gift of God's eternal love. Consider again. Romans 8:28, from the New International Version of the Bible.
The God who brought the most positive force of redemption ever known, from the tragic death of his Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross of Calvary, is again at work in the lives of persons: yes, persons in all different denominations and religious faith organizations. We also consider persons with various racial heritages and different nationalities, as they tell us they feel his Divine Presence.
We are hearing more frequently how redemption is coming to persons whose lives were shattered by the loss of a loved one, either in the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, or at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Many stories have appeared in the news media about what people have done in the elapsed time since "Nine Eleven." Surely God is at work in their lives.
Support groups have sprung up in places such as lower Manhattan, New York City, and in the nation's capital city. People come together to share their stories and to comfort each other. Slowly they are working their way out of their grief.
Many persons were bitter and cried out, "O God, why did you do this to me?" or "Why did God let this happen to me?" as they faced the reality that their husband or wife would not be coming back to them. Some of them, now, can see that God is at work in their lives for good. Some, now, can even smile again.
Some have had pastors or priests or rabbis help them to understand that though God permits tragic things to happen, he does not want things to be that way. When evil persons set out to commit premeditated murder, such as the events on "Nine Eleven" were to be, satanic forces were at work. In this world of moral freedom, evil choices were made with far-reaching consequences.
What else could it be but God at work in the lives of the volunteers who stepped up to assume tremendous responsibility, all the way from giving aid to exhausted firemen by preparing food and refreshment for them as they came off duty at Ground Zero to offering child care for a parent who had lost a loved one.
How grateful we all must be to know that God is for us and with us in any moment of our lives. That is true redemption, a gift of God's eternal love. Consider again. Romans 8:28, from the New International Version of the Bible.
