New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg disallowed any overt religious expressions in the historic 10th anniversary ceremonies at Ground Zero where the Twin Towers once stood and a memorial is open and buildings now rise. He said that not all religious beliefs could be included and no offense should be given to any. But prayer and religious references were there.
President Barack Obama read at length from Psalm 46:
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Former President George W. Bush quoted a condolence letter written by President Abraham Lincoln to a grieving mother when he heard of her losing five sons in the Civil War. Lincoln wrote, “I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement….”
On Sunday evening, President Obama book-ended his speech at the Kennedy Center memorial concert by twice quoting the latter portion of Psalm 30:5. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” refers to a time of mourning and then a time of joy.
At the dedication service of the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on Saturday, President Bush quoted John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends,” which was spoken by Christ of His forthcoming death on the Cross. Those same words have been quoted numerous times in blogs and other 9/11-related writings.
The newspapers on Monday, September 12, featured the moving picture. of a father kneeling with bowed head before the inscribed name of his fallen son and his arm outstretched across the sloping panel at the newly dedicated Ground Zero memorial.
Top political edicts may forbid formal Scripture and prayer in public gatherings, but God’s Word and the hunger for spiritual meaning in tragedy cannot be excluded from human experience. Even if every Bible were removed from earth, the Eternal Word is still guarded in heaven. “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)
Dave Virkler
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