I vaguely remember what it was like before 9/11 happened. We in the US felt we were safe from terrorism with vast oceans, massive military capabilities, and an extensive intelligence network to protect us. I could walk into any airport with just a credit card and purchase a ticket to any place in the country. An ID might be needed to make sure the credit card was mine. I could turn in my luggage and walk right up to the departure gate with my carry-on items, along with friends who came to see me off, because that was normal back then.
Then terrorists took over passenger planes and crashed two into the World Trade Towers and led to one crashing in a field. Sudden destruction ended thousands of lives that day. Airports had to set up strict security measures. Everyone and everything would be scanned and searched for potential weapons and explosives before entering the boarding area. Only passengers with tickets and proper identification are allowed to enter because that’s the new normal.
Watching the news reports about the war in Ukraine reminded me of our 9/11. Russia and the Ukraine have been fighting for a while, but this is war. There are reports of unarmed civilians being shot, and schools and hospitals being bombed. With the Russians bombing and shelling civilian areas, nobody is immune from sudden destruction. After a month of fighting, with cities lying in ruin, that once-prosperous country has experienced devastation not seen since WWII.
As hard as it is to imagine, the possibility of sudden destruction in Ukraine just got worse. The Russians used a hypersonic missile that they claim flies 10X faster than the speed of sound. That makes it impossible to defend against. To make things worse, the missile can be used to deliver nuclear weapons! If the Russians go that far, the world will have to respond and then all of us will be under the threat of sudden destruction.
Sudden destruction isn’t new but the thought of an unstoppable threat in the hands of our enemy can strike fear into the hearts of the bravest defender. In fact, it’s sudden death that scares people most. Does it really matter if you die from an unexpected bomb blast or by some other means? A quick death might be better than one that you see coming but can’t prevent. If it’s death you fear, then you should prepare yourself now, because you will die, and your death may come suddenly. If you know that death will take you into eternal life, you don’t have to be afraid of when or how you will die. David said “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day” (Psalms 91:5 KJV), and those were real threats in his day.
How can I not fear death? “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). JESUS said, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24 KJV). The death of this physical body is just a way to get to your glorified body. Because of JESUS, “Death is swallowed up in victory” and now you can say “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor 15:54-55 KJV) and mean it.
Wayne Lance (2022) – That’s Good News to Share!