President Bush called the tragedy of September 11, 2001 “the first war of the twenty-first century.” It was a week of horror and shock of a kind our nation has never experienced. As long as you live, you will never forget where you were or what you were doing on that horrific day.

Why did this tragedy happen?
There is a political answer to the question, of course. Islamic terrorists planned and executed this act of war, in retaliation for our nation’s support for Israel and to persuade us to leave the Middle East. Please remember that this act represented only an extreme, radical fringe within the Arab Muslim world. Please do not associate all Arabs or Muslims with this outrage. Shooting at a mosque in Dallas is terrorism as well.

But there is a spiritual answer to the question as well, and it deserves our focus today. The Bible promises that God is “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). If he is such a help in trouble, why did he allow this trouble, this tragedy? If he is our refuge and strength, why did this atrocity happen at all?

God made us with free will, so we could choose to worship him. Freedom of will is necessary to this purpose. And so God has given us free will, and he will not take it away from us. Could God have stopped the terrorists? Yes, by removing their free will. But then he would have to remove yours and mine as well. He would have to prevent every human attempt to sin and attack others. We could no longer be free to worship God or love each other. We could not be human. And this God cannot and will not do.

As long as there is life on this fallen planet, there will be misused free will and its sin. Not because this is the will of God, but because it is the will of man.

A second spiritual reason for this atrocity is just as clear: Satan is very real. Peter called him “a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus warned us that he “was a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44). Martin Luther was right: “Still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.”

On 9-11, America joined that tragic list of nations which have experienced the atrocity of terrorism on our own soil. From Israel to Ireland, from the Balkans to Indonesia, from Lebanon to Somalia, much of the world knows the grief and outrage we feel today. What do we do now?

When tragedy strikes
An old professor once advised me, “Son, be kind to everyone—because everyone’s having a hard time.” Wherever you’re hurting today, God’s word can help. Consider these practical lessons from Psalm 46 today.

First, run to God (v. 1). “God is our refuge and strength,” his word promises us. A “refuge” is a place where we go to escape, to be sheltered and safe. But we must choose to go there. A refuge is no good unless we use it. If we think we can stand the storm, the crisis, the tragedy alone, this refuge cannot help us. When it seems hardest to trust in him, that is the time we need to trust in him the most. Run to God.

Second, refuse to fear (vs. 2-3). This is impossible in our own strength and ability. But if we are in God’s refuge and are empowered by his strength, we need not fear anything the world can do to us. No matter how frightened we feel about the present and the future, we can refuse to fear.
Scripture says, “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1.7). Someone said it well: Fear knocked at the door, faith answered, and there was no one there. Run to God, and ask him for his help as you refuse to fear.

Third, release your hate (v. 9). Trust your enemies to God’s justice and righteousness. Our Lord will destroy all unrighteous people and nations, to the ends of the earth. There is no place to hide from his righteous anger and retribution. And no military power can stand against his.

So obey Paul’s word: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-19, 21).

Last, rest in faith. Our Father invites us to “be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalms 46:10). “Be still” means to be at rest, at calm, at peace. How is this possible in a crisis? Scripture is clear: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). God can give us peace which understanding cannot produce. But we must trust in him.

Our future is certain: “I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). One day there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:1-5). One day there will be no more sin or terror or war. There will be a day with no night, joy with no pain, victory with no defeat, light with no darkness. So say with the Psalmist, “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (v. 11). Enter his fortress, and find his hope.