The question of “Where was God on September 11?” is a heavy one that many people have wrestled with. September 11, 2001 was a horrific day in American history when terrorists hijacked planes and attacked the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day in an unspeakable act of evil. In the aftermath, countless friends and family members of the victims, as well as observers around the world, struggled to make sense of such a barbaric attack and how God could allow such evil to occur.
The Bible does not offer a direct or simple answer to this question, as God’s ways are complex and often difficult for us to understand (Isaiah 55:8-9). However, Scripture does provide some insights that can help frame a Christian perspective on tragedies such as 9/11.
God’s Sovereignty
First, the Bible is clear that God is sovereign over all things, including tragic events. Nothing happens outside of His ultimate control or permission (Lamentations 3:37-38). This does not mean that God directly causes evil, but rather that He sometimes permits evil deeds carried out by sinful mankind for reasons we cannot fully comprehend. We see this illustrated in the story of Joseph in Genesis – his brothers meant their actions for evil, but God meant it for good to accomplish His purposes (Genesis 50:20).
On 9/11, God was surely present, knowing and allowing the events to unfold according to His divine plan and timing. He remains sovereign over suffering and tragedies for His glory and our good, using evil events to accomplish His perfect will in ways we cannot see (Romans 8:28).
The Reality of Evil
Second, the Bible explains that we live in a fallen, broken world corrupted by sin, which leads to events like 9/11. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin and death entered the world and shattered the peace and harmony of God’s good creation (Genesis 3:14-19). We now live with the consequences – disease, natural disasters, hatred, terrorism and death.
The evil terrorists who carried out the 9/11 attacks were able to murder so many because we live in a deeply damaged world (Galatians 1:4). They gave in to the darkness and hatred common to sinful humanity (Romans 1:28-32). The Bible warns that such wickedness and violence will continue in this world until Jesus returns to fully establish His Kingdom (2 Timothy 3:1-5). As long as sin affects this world, tragedies like 9/11 will occur.
God’s Presence in Suffering
Third, though God allows such disasters to occur, He is still compassionate and present with those who suffer. There are many stories of believers who experienced God’s peace and comfort amidst the chaos on 9/11. Even when we cannot understand why something happened, we can trust that God walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4). He promises to never leave or forsake His people (Deuteronomy 31:6), and will one day wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 21:4).
Though it may seem from our limited human perspective that God was absent on 9/11, faith reminds us that He was actually there with each person, sharing in their suffering and offering comfort in the midst of the tragedy. We do not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
God’s Ultimate Justice
Fourth, though evil may temporarily appear to gain the upper hand, the Bible promises that God’s justice will ultimately prevail. The crimes committed on 9/11 were a severe injustice, and our hearts cry out for those guilty to be held accountable. Though justice sometimes comes slowly (Ecclesiastes 8:11), we can have confidence that God will ensure that perfect justice is served in His timing.
While some suffered unjustly on 9/11, God promises that in eternity He will right every wrong and punish every act of evil (Revelation 20:11-15). Those who trusted Him amidst the tragedy will be comforted and rewarded eternally, while evildoers face His wrath (Revelation 21:1-4). God’s justice may not be fully manifested on this side of eternity, but we know that He will have the final word and set all things right in His Kingdom.
Hope Amid Hopelessness
Finally, September 11th serves as a sober reminder that our hope cannot rest in this temporary world, but only in God and His eternal Kingdom. On 9/11, the fragility of life and the threat of evil was put on full display. However, as Christians, we can cling to the unshakable hope of heaven where there is no more weeping or pain (Revelation 21:4).
Though we may not understand why God allowed 9/11 to occur, we can trust in His promise: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). No amount of death or suffering can separate us from His enduring love (Romans 8:38-39). God allowed September 11th to reinforce our desperate need to place our faith and hope in Him alone in this broken, temporal world.
The question of why God permitted the evil of September 11th may never be fully answered in this life. But we can rely on His promises and find hope rather than despair in His sovereign plan. When tragedy strikes, He is still in control. When evil seems to prevail, justice will ultimately be served. And when despair surrounds us, hope in His eternal Kingdom gives us strength to press on.