September 11, 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist
attacks in the US. It’s hard to think about that date without mental images of
the destruction, grief, and loss that swept over America and the world
following those tragic events. The loss of thousands of lives was compounded by
the depth of loss felt corporately—a lost sense of security as a country. The
sorrow of loss, personal and corporate, will always accompany the memory of the
events of that day.
Those horrific events are not the only painful memories of September 11.
It also marks the anniversary of my father-in-law’s death. Jim’s loss is felt
deeply within our family and his circle of friends.
No matter what kind of sorrow we experience, there is only one real
comfort—the mercy of God. David, in his own heartache, cried to his heavenly
Father, “Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief, yes, my soul and my body!”
(Ps. 31:9).
Only in the mercy of God can we find comfort for our pain and peace for our
troubled hearts.
In all losses, we can turn to the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who alone
can heal our brokenness and grief.
When God permits suffering, He also provides comfort. (RBC)
