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I
know most of us listened intently to the inaugural speech
given on January 20, 2001. I distinctly remember how
impressed I was with the many allusions to family values
and Godly principles. I must say the address brought
tears. I particularly noticed the statement (condensed
version); "We are not this story's author, who fills
time and eternity with His purpose…"This work continues.
This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the
whirlwind and directs this storm”.
At the time, I did not realize the depth or history behind
the statement to which the President referred. Recently, I
read the transcript of the inaugural address. I noticed
that Mr. Bush was using a quote from a letter written by
Virginia statesman John Page to Thomas Jefferson after the
Declaration of Independence was signed. The time of this
writing and rendering is May, 2002. We are about to
celebrate the first July the 4th after the 9/11
incident. Once again the United States is at war; this
time we are declaring our independence and freedom from
terrorism.
When President Bush used the quote, he obviously had no
idea that the United States would endure a storm similar
to the one his predecessors referred to when they fought
for their independence. Nine short months later, this
President and the United States would be called upon once
again to fight for Freedom from oppression and terrorism
on its own soil. Nor would he realize how much he/we as
Americans would need to rely on the Angel that rides in
the whirlwind.
My attention was drawn to the scripture(s) the quotes
referenced.
…
The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to
them all." (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
I
find it utterly chilling that the scripture referenced is
from 9-11 (Ecclesiastes). On 9-11 time and chance alike
happened to them all; the wise, the wealthy, the learned
and the brilliant. Neither speed nor strength could
prevent time and chance from overtaking those we lost on
that day.
According to Nahum 1:3, the angel in the whirlwind was
actually referring to the Lord ..."The Lord is slow to
anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the
guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the
storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." Equally
comforting is especially the portion of the scripture …
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
This rendering serves as a reminder that how ever
threatening the storm seems;" We are not this story's
author, who fills time and eternity with His purpose…"This
work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still
rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm”. ....and
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished but will
bring justice to those who shed innocent blood. |
