2,924

8:46 AM

American Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 87 violated passengers are killed instantly.

9:03 AM

United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the WTC in NYC. 59 innocent passengers perish.

9:37 AM

American Flight 77 strikes the Pentegon. 125 lives on the ground are lost. 59 terrorized passengers are murdered.

10:03 AM

United Airlines Flight 93 crashes near Shakesville, PA, having targeted the national Capital but foiled by the courageous actions of many aboard who will not go down without a fight. They fight. They go down. 40 are dead.

Turnstile counters leading into the World Trade Center reveal that nearly 17,000 people are already in the WTC complex when the first plane hits the North Tower. Over 14,000 have already occupied various offices and floors to begin their workday when the 9-11 Attacks begin.

When the body count from Ground Zero is combined with the death tools from the Pentagon, Shakesville and aboard each hijacked aircraft, 2,924 lives are lost to indescribable, senseless tragedy. Twenty four additional are listed as 'missing'. Many who forfeited their lives, did so with honorable intention, rushing onto buildings to rescue the entrapped. Scenes of gruesome reality on 09-11-01 are captured and transmitted to every American home and business and are broadcast around the world by numerous news agencies. Real time horror on global display.

"I saw the tears of the oppressed--and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors--and they have no comforter." Ecclesiastes 4:1

The wisest man who ever lived (with the exception of one Other), looked at the unexplainable injustices of life and murmured. Why? How could this happen? Who could think this action heroic? How do you sort this wreckage of live out? Where was God when depraved minds devised these strikes against the innocent and then carreid them out without human detection? Why did He not frustrate the plans of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and his accomplices who conjured up this devilish insanity?

Here is one thing that you know is true. In this life that God has let you live...someone is going to hurt you and to do it willingly and sometimes even by design. Not only do we share in this human reality, we also share the after effect...that we are fallible. The injustice of man levying out cruelty turns us to God in admission that we really do need Him. Tragedy strips us of unrelenting ego. Most of us cannot personally relate to the suffering of the innocent and victimized of 9-11 or their families, but we do know that we do not have the means to rise above our 'oppressors' apart from divine intervention.

The aftermath of 9-11 continues to strike deep into the hearts of those whose loss is immeasurable...and reminds us all that each of the 2,924 who perished from the earth will be vindicated by the justice of God on the day when He makes all things right and everything new.

I look forward to that day.