Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! (Psalm 130:1-2)

22 years ago, this passage spoke for every living American who sat in front of a television set staring in disbelief. Not only had an attack taken place on our nation for the first time since Pearl Harbor, it was an attack on the 48. Not only was it an attack, it was planned using passenger planes loaded with fuel on the first leg of their flights for the day...with passengers and flight staff on board!

It was a gut-punch. It was stunning, shocking, and a true slap in the face of American pride and patriotism.

The psalmist must have lived during such a time because he plea is one of desperation. On his pilgrimage to the temple from Psalm 120 (Psalms of Ascents going from 120-134), he's constantly looking up to God, lifting his eyes, his voice, and now crying out from the depths to God has he nears.

Every church was opened during 911 as it's been called. That day, our nation lifted its eyes to God and our cries were lifted up to God. That Monday heard the cries from people in shock. Our prayer every day should be one of crying out to God for mercy for our sins and "iniquities" as the psalmist will later say. Our assurance is our "groans and sighs" are formed by the Spirit and taken to God (Romans 8) and heard.

Our assurance is our God hears us and will answer us in His time.

Take a moment today to reflect:

Where were you on 911?

How did you learn of the attack?

What was your initial reaction and how long did it take you to process what had happened?

Do you still remember the event and think of it annually?

How do you turn to God on days like today and what do you ask Him?

Have we forgiven our enemy of this as we are instructed to?