I will never forget how normal that morning felt. On my way to get a cup of coffee, I noticed my colleagues gathering around a television in the lobby. Curiosity turned to disbelief as the events of September 11, 2001, unfolded before my eyes.

I will also never forget the way our staff at American Bible Society came together, unified and focused on serving a city and a nation desperate for hope. Within 48 hours, we had repurposed a special Scripture resource written for people experiencing tragedy: God Is Our Shelter and Strength. Through God’s provision, we distributed over 3.4 million copies to a grieving nation in the aftermath of 9/11. Printed here are three promises of God’s Word found in that Scripture resource.

As we remember the great pain and devastation endured by our nation 20 years ago, let us turn once again to the only firm foundation for our souls in this life and the next: the Bible. May God’s Word guide, comfort, and heal our nation today just as it did then. He is still our shelter and strength!

God understands your fear, anger, and sorrow.

Wake up! Do something, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Don’t desert us forever. Why do you keep looking away? Don’t forget our sufferings and all of our troubles.

Psalm 44:23–24 CEV

God is your shelter and your strength.

You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.

Psalm 91:2b CEV

Nothing can separate you from God’s love.

Nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Romans 8:38b–39 CEV