“The Lord’s name is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and find refuge.”(Proverbs 18:10 CEB)

This week many of us have spent time thinking about where we were twenty years ago when the World Trade Center was struck, the Pentagon was threatened and Flight 93 went down.

I was a college student and was in class when it happened. Our professor informed us that the towers had fallen. He gave us space to process our shock. Then he carried on with class. His decision to proceed with the lesson on that tragic day felt neither right nor wrong. What else was he supposed to do? I don’t have the answer.

Soon after, I donated blood. I’m O-Negative. Any blood type can benefit from my donation so I’m kind of a celebrity at the American Red Cross. It felt good to give blood, but also underwhelming, like trying to dry up the ocean with a paper towel. What more could I have done? I don’t have the answer.

I’m not aware of a Bible verse that perfectly addresses a nation forever changed by an act of terror. I like the proverb above, but I’m also aware of its limitations. In this context it invites a difficult question. Why did God, whose name is a strong tower, allow so many innocent people to lose their lives that day?

I don’t have the answer.

“When Jesus saw [Mary] crying and the Jews who had come with her crying also, he was deeply disturbed and troubled. He asked, ‘Where have you laid [Lazarus]?’ They replied, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to cry.” (John 11:33-35)

It’s just a hunch, but I suspect that Jesus was fully aware in this moment that he would soon bring Lazarus back to life, and yet he took the time to cry.

Jesus is the most hope-filled person ever to walk the earth. He knows, better than anyone, that there is no form of terror imaginable, including death, that can stop God from loving, healing and restoring us. Still, I think Jesus took some time to cry on September 11th, 2001.

Trusting in Jesus, we can be confident that the victory is already won. We can also be confident that Jesus is right here with us this very instant. He will never leave us nor forsake us, but will wait with us, walk with us, and weep with us in the midst of our struggle.

Lord God, we praise you because your mercy endures forever. Help us lean on your everlasting arms in seasons of celebration as well as seasons of lamentation. Amen.