God is always with us, so we may dwell and abide always with Him and with His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has promised never to leave us, no matter what. And in every situation, He has promised us His strength and His grace to take us through. He will do that for the thousands of grieving Americans who place their faith and hope in Him. He will do the same for you and for me. "Those who fully trust Him find Him fully true."

God wants to take us by the hand and lead us through whatever it is we may have to face. God can do anything, except fail us. He is faithful, Paul told Timothy, even when we have no faith left. He is our strength when we are weak. Our comfort when we are sad. Our refuge when we are frightened.

Thousands fled the twin towers -- and thousands did not make it out in time. Once thought impregnable, they toppled like Legos. But Proverbs tells us: "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

In verse 25, the now praising Asaph says, "whom have I in heaven but you?" Then he says this: "in being with you I desire nothing on earth." You see, my friends, God is all you and I need. And He will meet, He will provide, all our needs. He will give us what we need in this hour of trial. For even in the darkest hour; even through the longest night; even under the most desperate and ominous of circumstances, whether those be personal or national, He is the God Who is there -- and He is not silent.

Listen to His still, small voice whisper to your heart, and speak "peace, be still" to your mind. "I'm here," He says. "I know you need me, and you have me. I am with you. I will guide you and afterward take you into my glory and my heavenly kingdom. You are mine. My only Son purchased your redemption with His own blood, so you know that I love you. Take my hand; we'll go through this together."

"My flesh and my heart may fail," concedes the psalmist in verse 26. After all, we are in the final analysis only mortals. "But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

In this our hour of great national despair, when our hearts may fail us and our human strength be insufficient, God -- and God alone -- is our hope. Harry Emerson Fosdick, who was the long-time pastor of the Riverside Church in New York City, once wrote a hymn entitled "God of Grace and God of Glory." It is appropriate that on this occasion we close this message with the words of that great hymn:

God of grace and God of glory, on Thy people pour Thy power;

Crown Thine ancient Church's story; Bring her bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

For the facing of this hour, for the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil round us, scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways!

From the fears that long have bound us, free our hearts to faith and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

For the living of these days, for the living of these days.

Cure Thy children's warring madness, bend our pride to Thy control;

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal, lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal.

Set our feet on lofty places; Gird our lives that they may be

Armored with all Christ-like graces in the fight to set men free.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

That we fail not man nor Thee, that we fail not man nor Thee.