An evil man has died, but evil is as alive as ever. No doubt there are billions celebrating Osama bin Laden's death, and I join them. I pray that at the very least this has greatly reduced the capability of those who would wish the death of innocents. I honor the bravery and skill of all who fight against those enemies of what is good and right, and all who helped bring about bin Laden's demise. They deserve the highest of honors and our humble gratitude.
I'd like to be able to say that because of this, maybe the end of this horrible scourge is in sight. But nobody really believes that. The devil has his grasp on too many others. His very purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He prowls the earth seeking to devour his prey--you and me (1 Peter 5:8). Osama bin Laden was just one of his many pawns.
That said, I in no way intend to diminish the importance of this great success. But may it not lessen our resolve to hope for the victory of good over evil, a victory which can only come about when lives are surrendered to the One who hold the key to victory over the devil--Jesus Christ.
I am very proud of our military for accomplishing this. But as a christian I am faced with this Proverbs 24:17-18 "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him."
ReplyDeleteThough I think we did good for the world. We should not rejoice in his death. We should be forgiving our enemies as Jesus taught. Being a man that deployed to Iraq in 03 this is especially hard for me.
I see your (and the Bible's) point. I certainly would have rather had Osama convert to Christianity and become a force for good. And I do pray regularly for those who hate us and God. That said, I am glad that though (I assume) bin Laden is not in heaven (unless there was some last second conversion), one of our key enemies has been removed. I'm not so naive as to think our problems are over, but militarily (if not spiritually), it was a great success. If there weren't enough prayers to God for Osama bin Laden's salvation before he died, then shame on us Christians. We should always put that first.
ReplyDeleteAs for your service to our country, I thank you deeply for that.