Yesterday had to be a tough day to be a current or former commander-in-chief. National and global media outlets across the globe were tuning in to Manhattan to witness at least some portion of the memorial service of the victims who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I think it's fair to say that a large portion of the viewers, whether they were at Ground Zero, watching on television, or listening on the radio were a little anxious about how it was all going to go down for [encouraged] reasons. Former President George W. Bush most likely had a heart that weighed a ton as he looked over hundreds of onlookers and being aware that millions of others recognized that his Administration was stained with this horror. And the the current leader of the "free" world may have shared a similar burden; knowing that this was the America he inherited. Yet as I watched the openings of the ceremony, our president did something I found to be admirable.
The embattled and accused Barack Obama left his wife behind the bullet-proof plexi-glass and strolled up to the podium. Without introducing himself, without campaigning, and without verbally fluffing and making light of the situation, he surveyed the crowd and began to recite Psalm 46. In the voice that hooked many, in the confidence that assured the masses, he read the ancient song as boldly as one possibly could. I want to ensure several factors of why this is monumental does not get over looked.
First, we must make definite that the Word of God has appropriate material for each situation that occurs or can occur on earth. Therefore, while this is not completely certain, it is believed that Psalm 46 was written around the time when Sennacherib of Assyria attacked Jerusalem in 701 B.C., but didn't prevail because God sent a death angel through the Assyrian camp that killed 185,000 soldiers (2 Kings 19:34-36). The Assyrian threat didn't come without any guilt for Judah, however. For the attack was advanced due to several internal issues in Judahs' government and society such as idolatry (depending on things other than God to provide) and questionable alliances (2 Kings 18:13-15). These situations plague America today as they did in B.C. Israel; and there was much loss before the Hand of God delivered Judah from Assyrian onslaught. Also, it is clear to me that the Untied States is to be an example to the world of the benefits of following Christ or an example to the nations of the destruction when neglecting Him.
Second, phrases such as "the God of Jacob" and "the City of God (Jerusalem)" can be viewed as direct attacks towards Islamic fundamentalists, radicals, and militants. It takes some guts to strongly read ancient Jewish literature while openly defying an accomplishment perceived by millions of Muslim terrorists over global airwaves. The results could have definitely been catastrophic for Christians and Jews on American soil; but they could (and can) be even worse for Christians and Jews living in the Middle East. As much as we love to say we're on the battlefield for our Lord, none of us honestly know what that means in the physical realm; as we live thousands of miles away from where proclaiming Christ will get you dismembered or killed. However, no matter how sheltered we are here, and for what it's worth, Obama seems to recognize that the God of Jacob conquers all pain and suffering. Which brings me to my last point.
We Americans love some God when it's time to die, during the memory of death, or during the threat of death. And there are many passages in the Holy Bible that some use to support this unwavering of faith. But Obama chose a Psalm that declares that God is omnipresent, powerful, and protecting of His. Our president chose not to wallow in the sadness of tragedy, nor pump up supporters to rebuild the "strength" of our country. But he announced through the Word that our (Believers) God is already a "refuge" and "strong fortress" to us; that He is in the "city of God" in our hearts and will ensure we will never fall, and that if we operate in stillness and revere that He is God, His exaltation will benefit us eternally.
Obama did not enhance on the pity of disaster, instead, hee uplifted the hearts of faithful American Christians. And if one was open to his reading, that one may have began the path to find Jesus yesterday.
Therefore, Barack is the boy.
Peace.
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