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An
angel still rides in the whirlwind
…the Chronicle
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. |
