Daily Lesson for September 11, 2014

Today's daily lesson is a word from our nation's pastor, Billy Graham.

On the Thursday evening following the horrific events of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the Washington National Cathedral hosted a service of remembrance. Billy Graham spoke.

He talked about the mystery of evil and the age-old question as to why God allows it to exist. Then he spoke of God's sovereignty, and our conviction that one day, ultimately, evil will be swallowed up and justice will prevail in the world and the next. He said that day could be not only one of tragedy, but also hope insofar as it could be a moment of national unity, repentance, and turning toward God.

"God has told us in His Word, time after time, that we are to repent of our sins and we’re to turn to Him and He will bless us in a new way," he said.

As Graham came to the end of his sermon he spoke of the symbol of the Cross, of which there were many in the sanctuary of the Cathedral. "The Cross tells us that God understands our sin and our suffering," he said.

But then he went further, beyond the Cross and into the hope for resurrection.

"The story does not end with the Cross, for Easter points us beyond the tragedy of the Cross to the empty tomb that tells us that there is hope for eternal life, for Christ has conquered evil and death, and hell. Yes, there is hope. I’ve become an old man now and I’ve preached all over the world and the older I get the more I cling to that hope that I started with many years ago."

Then he finished by reciting lines from the hymn "How Firm a Foundation", which was a particularly poignant hymn selection in the aftermath Twin Towers' fall. These are the words he recited:

"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand."

Thank you, pastor.