It’s hard to believe that we are almost at the 25th anniversary of 9/11. It’s even harder to believe that there are two and three-quarters generations that weren’t alive on 9/11, many of whom don’t even know what you are talking about when we mention it. Gen Z’ers were born from 1997-2012. Gen Alpha was 2013-2024. Now, we have Gen Beta, those born from 2025 to today.
Because of the events of 9/11, on this day in 2002, President George W. Bush announced plans to strengthen our homeland security. The Department of Homeland Security would actually be created on November 25th of that same year.
“During a White House press conference on July 16, 2002, Bush gave the American public a preview of the changes to come, including, but not limited to, a color-coded warning system that identified different levels of threat, assessing which industries and regions were vulnerable to attack. He also proposed changes in laws that would give the president increased executive powers, particularly with regard to anti-terrorism policy.
“On the day of his announcement, it appeared that Bush and Congress formed a fairly united front in favor of the new policy. However, as soon as the Department of Homeland Security was established, critics who feared the potential abuse of presidential powers and the abandonment of civil liberties in the name of national security raised their voices. Bush tried to reassure them that the changes were constitutional and open to Congressional oversight. However, over the next few years, his administration faced accusations of violating the Constitution and creating a political culture of secrecy and cronyism.”1
Of the changes that would be enacted, Senator Joseph Liberman said, “Building this Department will involve no shortage of problems, as any massive undertaking of this kind would – but we, after this initial act of creation, must be ready to improve, to support, and ultimately to protect the American people with this Department. We have no choice.”2
There is no doubt that security in the USA has changed and some of the freedoms we once had have been dissolved. This has caused a lot of complaining by most Americans,
especially if they want to travel anywhere. Flying isn’t as easy as it used to be because of TSA regulations. Going to other countries has its challenges. There is cyber security and other measures put into place. As “evil men and seducers wax worse and worse” (2 Timothy 3:13), more freedoms will be surrendered to protect what we have.
Do I feel like the government is spying on me? Perhaps I’m naïve but I have to say that I really don’t think I’m that interesting to spy on. I’m sure that there are cyber algorithms that somehow detect subversive, threatening speech. However, I would never say or do things that are subversive, seditious, or malicious. Plus, does the government really have to “spy” on us when everyone and their brother puts any thought that goes through their head on social media? You don’t have to “spy” when people aren’t trying to hide anything.
Besides, if someone is threatening to kill someone or blow something up, I hope those in authority find out before the tragic event happens and stops it. That’s the whole point of homeland security. You want to ACT rather than REACT. And you want to PROTECT rather than SALVAGE.
I believe in homeland security. And I believe that it starts in the home. As Jesus sent the 70, He said in Luke 10:5, “And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.” Do you want your house to be blessed with God’s peace? How can that happen?
First, the members of that house need to receive the message of God’s peace, the Gospel. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” While we cannot make anyone accept the Gospel message of peace through Jesus, it shouldn’t stop us from sharing. We should want our children to know Jesus as Savior and that should be a priority.
Second, we must ask God to build our home. Psalms 127:1 tells us, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it…” The old Bible commentator, G. Campbell Morgan, said, “ “No house-building is successful which leaves God out of account. How have we seen men build only houses, with care and at great cost, only to see them crumble to pieces because God was forgotten!” Our homes must be established according to God’s design.
Third, have we made the Joshua decision? Joshua 24:15 says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” This secures the purpose of the home.
Finally, let me use a verse a little differently. Proverbs 25:28 says, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” A home is like a city. It needs walls for protection to keep the bad things OUT and the good things IN. What safeguards have we put into place to do this?
There are many more things that could be mentioned. I encourage you to create a more detailed list, finding the ways that you can safeguard your home for the Lord’s glory. Is it that serious? Absolutely because of what we read in 1 Peter 5:8. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
1https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-16/bush-unveils-strategy-for-homeland-security
2https://www.brookings.edu/articles/dhs-twenty-years-after-9-11-looking-back-and-looking-ahead/
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