This Friday marks 25 years since September 11, 2001—a day forever etched into the memory of our nation. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives as terrorists attacked our country, including the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City. For those who lived through that day, the images, fear, grief, and acts of extraordinary courage are difficult to forget. Twenty-five years later, September 11 still reminds us how quickly life can change and how little control we ultimately possess.

Days like September 11 can also make God’s protection hard to understand. God’s protection does not mean tragedy will never come, that believers will never suffer, or that every prayer for safety will be answered in the way we desire. Scripture never promises us that. What it does promise is that God remains sovereign even when circumstances are frightening, confusing, and beyond our control. Sometimes His protection is obvious. Sometimes we recognize it only later. And sometimes we are left with questions we cannot answer this side of eternity.

That tension between danger, uncertainty, and trust in God is not limited to moments that make national history. Sometimes it becomes intensely personal. Tad Glibert, assistant director of operations for the Northwestern University men’s basketball program, experienced such a moment while on a mission trip to the African country of Malawi. Tad and his wife were robbed by 15–20 masked men. “In that moment, the thought of dying became real,” Tad wrote. “My wife was next to me, and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law were in the tent next to us. Karly and I turned to each other and said, ‘I love you.’ I remember closing my eyes and praying over and over for God to protect us.”

Tad continued, “Typically, a light on the house shines down toward where our tents are set up. However, a team member turned it off that night, and she doesn’t know why. Although it was traumatic, it could have been far worse. As we prayed to be hidden, we believe God blinded the men to our five occupied tents. If the attack had happened one night prior, we would have probably canceled our team’s flights to Malawi, and we would have all gone home. If the attack had happened one night later, there would have been people in the tent slashed open. God’s timing was perfect. And He protected us that night.”

Exodus 10–11 — Sovereign Care

Exodus 10–11 recounts the final plagues God brought upon Egypt. God told Moses that one final plague was coming, after which Pharaoh would finally let His people go. Through each plague, God showed that Pharaoh was not in control. The gods of Egypt were powerless before Him. The Lord alone possessed the power and authority to deliver His people. Exodus 11 also reveals God’s plan to protect the firstborn sons of the Israelites.

Judgment was coming upon Egypt, but God would distinguish His people from the Egyptians. Nothing that happened that night would be outside His sovereign control. God’s protection does not mean His people will never face frightening or difficult circumstances. Tad and his family certainly did. But even when we cannot see what God is doing, we can trust that He sees what we cannot and remains completely in control.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete believe the Lord still uses hardship, not to watch us struggle arbitrarily, but to further His purposes in our lives. They know He uses difficulties to lead people to repentance and salvation and to make us more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Bible Verse: “But, indeed, for this reason I have caused you to stand, in order to show you My power and in order to recount My name through all the earth.” Exodus 9:16 (LSB)