With eyes affixed to pictures of inexpressible horror, for a moment in time, America became paralyzed as she helplessly watched her future eternally changed. What good can possibly come through this heartless tragedy in our cities? What is to happen to those who have attempted to instill fear in this land that we love?

Our losses at the Pentagon, World Trade Center and hills of Pennsylvania have brought tragedy where hearts of strangers are joined as brothers. Dr. Billy Graham, speaking at the service in Washington DC on the Day of Prayer and Rememberance said it this way, "A tragedy like this could have torn us apart, but instead, it has united us and we have become a family."

The fires of hatred that burned within our buildings have done what none of our enemies could ever have known. It has melted our hearts into a unified nation. Although we are of many, we have become one. A unified nation is a nation to be feared like no other for unity brings blessing from God that comes at no other time. The unity of "brothers" brings undeserved blessing from God, falling indiscriminately upon those in unity (Psalm 133).

One of the first signs of God's blessing on brothers in unity is the favor of "all the people" (Acts 2:47). This is exactly what we are seeing develop among "all" the nations! Apart from two nations who have chosen to side with terror, 181 recognized nations have shown America favor. A truly unprecedented event.

Many have prayed for years for God to turn and heal our land. Still we have not seen the country as a whole turn their hearts toward heaven. Until now, how could God bring a blessing of repentance to a nation worthy of judgment for our sin? How could God pour out His Spirit on a nation divided -- a fact shown in our last presidential election?

No, America, we don't deserve God's blessing. We have been materialistic, shallow and vulgar. Nevertheless, the wonderful truth of God's blessing as a result of our unity is that we can receive the goodness of God that we will never deserve. The unity in America enables God to now send His greatest blessing, the gift of repentance. Not many days ago, God was politically incorrect and a controversial topic. Now we are singing God Bless America across this land, without a hint of objection from atheists.

Every new beginning begins with bended knee in repentance for sin, and we are seeing a national bended knee and a new way of life emerging. As of September 16th, the Los Angeles police department reports a 50% drop in crime. Our eyes are being opened to see that our hearts must turn toward Him. A blessing that we will see increase in the days ahead is more and more hearts returning to the God of this nation's forefathers.

God's blessing upon us is also a tool by which we must render justice. Our Pledge of Allegiance concludes with the words, "indivisible with liberty and justice for all." The Bible, in fact, calls a lack of justice a sin for which man must repent (Isaiah 59:4, 14). With our indivisible unity we must ensure there is justice for all the slain in our cities. "Justice and judgment" are the foundation of the throne of God and our government as well (Psalm 89:14). As a nation, we must ensure that justice of the truth is vindicated in order for peace to prevail. Without ensuring justice, we can never be assured of peace.

What does the future hold? The Bible tells us that the things which have been are a picture of things to come (Ecclesiastes 3:15). We can therefore look to the Bible to show us what lies ahead in America's pursuit of justice.

Jeremiah chapter 50 shows both America and Israel suffering violence and in sorrow because of those who have taken hold of them and burned them. (Note: In a study beyond the scope of this article, one finds the basis for Israel as a representative of the US, and the tribe of Judah, from where the name Jew is derived, representative of modern day Israel.) Their "adversaries" declare they are not guilty and will not be punished. Instead, they rejoice and are happy at the destruction because America and Israel "have sinned against their God." While we have sinned, what the adversaries have failed to anticipate is that America, joining in unity, has brought God's undeserved blessing.

Jeremiah continues by revealing that the unnamed adversary and disseminator of terror is Babylon, modern day Iraq. (At the time, Babylon also ruled what is now Afghanistan.) As the War on Terrorism continues, we will discover that Iraq is the "mother" of all the adversaries. The Bible declares that this is not a victory for the adversaries but a trap in which Iraq will be "found" and "caught" by a people "from the north" (presumably Russia), "a great nation" (presumably America) and "many kings" who are brought from around the world.

This "assembly of great nations" will surround Iraq and burn cities, with not a single missile being "in vain". These nations are told to spare no missiles because Iraq has sinned against the Lord. They are commanded to take vengeance on her and burn her as she has done to America and Israel. The king of Iraq will hear reports of this and anguish will consume him, while those who have supported him will run away to their own lands. Then the nations will be satisfied with all the spoil of Iraq.

Jeremiah indicates this will occur during the fall. As this may not occur this fall (2001), it could occur in a succeeding year during the fall. No matter which year, victory is assured by God's Word. God will bless America's pursuit of justice!

Copyright © 2001 LaVale Christian Center, Inc., 25 Doris St., LaVale, MD 21502. www.ehope.com.
Not-for-profit use and/or reproduction of this material is encouraged, providing attribution is given and all copies are in its entirety.