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The events of Sept. 11 were, to say the least, traumatic for most Americans and for much of the world. Many Christians, viewing the grief and outrage of Americans are hoping this will herald a new day of revival and spirituality in this nation. In some particular individual cases, this may (have) happen(ed). The national trend though is much more likely to be like that described in 2 Kings 17 and Ezekiel 23, wherein the tragic destruction of a people (the 10 tribes of Israel) led to brief dismay, but no real change on the part of a related people (the tribes of Judah). Christians must not rest on fleeting feelings of nationalism or unification, the injunction to pray (1 Tim. 2:1-8), obey (Rom. 13:1-7, Acts 4:19) and display (Acts 4:20, 1 Tim. 2:2-3, 1 Pet. 2:13-17) is needed now more than ever. Revival doesn't come to the proud or the complacent, but only to the contrite and lowly. The message of truth needs to be heard in these tumultous days, and it won't be heard from news anchors or politicians, however inspirational they may be,
but only from sincere Christians. Isa 57:15
15 For this is what the high and lofty One says--
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
NIV
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