Our God Reigns

TODAY: Try to visualize worshipers studying the Old Testament in the time of Jesus. Find a map of Jerusalem and locate the places of importance to the Jewish faith, the Christian faith and the Muslim faith.

When I signed up for my first Disciple Bible Study course last fall
I had no idea how relevant it would be to the tragic events that
followed. I had the simplistic notion that Bible study was about getting to know the Bible better. Instead, I found that disciple is a course on “the human condition” in which we are asked to wrestle with the most eternal of questions such as “Why did God create humankind?” “Why is there suffering in the world?” and “What is God’s purpose for my life?”

I had no sense of how profoundly the Old Testament can speak to the events of our time until immediately after September 11. Then, the lamentations of the Hebrew people in exile and in despair seemed particularly meaningful. So many of us felt a deep loneliness after 9-11 and some anger that God had allowed this to happen. As we looked at the very real threat of further terrorist attacks, we could understand more clearly the cry of the Psalmist when he wrote:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.” (Psalm 22:1-2)

But the Old Testament is not just about human woes but rather is filled with the promise of God for a better future for humankind if we are faithful. September 11 was a reminder of the capacity of humankind for unspeakable evil, but the Bible brings us hope that all this can change. The Old Testament speaks volumes about this promise of the Messiah but no where is it more beautifully stated than in Isaiah.

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’” (Isaiah 52:7)

We are all still grappling with the implications of 9-11 and will for some time. We are proud of the undaunted spirit of patriotism that has swept our nation. But for me the lesson of 9-11 is that the truest answers are found in the Bible and its message is clearly one of reassurance and the promise of a better tomorrow through the healing power of Jesus.

— Dennis Wilder