According to the CIA World Factbook, just under one percent of the US population is Muslim, out of a total of 324 million people (July 2016 estimate). For the sake of argument, let’s assume that a mere one percent of these American Muslims either condone or desire to participate in terrorism. (There is research to support that this number is actually much higher.) The number we reach is 32,400 people who could support, aid, or become terrorists. That’s 648 for each of the 50 states. You get the idea.
However, the point I am making is not to single out militant Islam. They may be in the lead for terrorism in recent decades, but there will always be those who hate this nation; America has its own homegrown version of extremism, producing despicable people like Timothy McVeigh. There are definitely radical groups of all persuasions to be found on our soil.
I’ve always been amazed that more terrorism doesn’t take place here, much less on an ongoing basis. The bad people are here. The materials to create destructive devices from scratch are here. The black market is alive and well (so I’m told). We know that horrible incidents (albeit small in comparison to the death toll of 9/11) are happening on an ongoing basis. But what has stopped someone from detonating a weapon of mass destruction in a US city? There are so many “easy” targets. It is impossible for law enforcement to plan for every contingency and prevent every kind of incident.
Why hasn’t there been another 9/11? For that matter, why hasn’t there been a catastrophic volcano, earthquake, or other large-scale, life-altering event? There is only one possible answer, which is obvious to Christians, and that is what we sometimes call the hand of God or, simply, God’s protection. We don’t fully understand why God allows tragedies and disasters to happen, or why He seems to bless some and see harm come to others. The reality is that His sovereign plan is always in full motion and we see but a glimpse of it at best.
The same truth of God’s hand applies to our personal lives. Like law enforcement, we can try to prepare for all that life throws at us. We can do our best at our job, seek out good medical care, and raise our children in a way that honors God. But, ultimately, He decides what happens: the good, the bad, and the ugly. We might feel blindsided, but He never is. I find great peace in this fact, even though knowing this doesn’t promise me safety and an outwardly peaceful life. Inwardly, I can find comfort through the Power of the Holy Spirit, other believers, and of course, God’s Word . . .
God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
Psalm 47:8
In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1–2
Should another 9/11 (or worse) occur, do not be frightened. Do not be caught off-guard. God certainly isn’t. It didn’t happen without His knowledge or consent. May we all be found faithful in times of need.
