Another event took place, which I've only now had time to contemplate. On May 1st, a day that will now be shared in the collective memory of the world, is the day that Osama Bin Ladin's life came to an end. An honor of dubious distinction I guess. For while our boys in blue, GO NAVY, have taken down a prominent American enemy there still many other enemies in the Al-Quida & Taliban circles that would seek to do us harm, not to mention the number of "American" terrorists that have tried to attack this country as well. So really the battle is far from over even though this was a VERY successful fight in the battle.
Also, as a Christian, it is important to remember that Proverbs 24:17-18 admonishes us not to rejoice in the misfortunes of our enemy.
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.
Don't get me wrong, when I heard the news for me it was just like hearing the accounts of other times in history when God's will met with the perfect timing. Like the Lord guiding George Washington's decision to cross the Delaware river & to go into the enemy camp. The Lord provided the fog that rolled in so that George Washington's troops could surprise their enemy and turn the tide in the American Revolution. So too in this situation did the Lord guide the leadership that made the decision to go into the compound, the blindness for any potential enemy to get wind of the operation, and the men that went into the enemies camp to complete a long sought after goal. The poetry is goosebump worthy for sure.
Lest any person out there think that America was somehow in the wrong for the actions that were taken on this fateful day there is clear guidance that the the Lord gives as to the modes of how he executes justice, why it is right that justice is executed, and who we should really be praising because of the justice that was executed.
First, God has given man government to execute justice angainst evildoers.
Romans 13:3-4, For rulers (goverment) are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not e afraid of power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he (government) is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
1 Peter 2:14, Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Secondly, He told us how that justice should be exectued.
Genesis 9:6, Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Third, the Bible does say we are to rejoice when justice prevails, but it also says who we are to rejoice in.
2 Samuel 22:1, And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul.
Exodus 15:1, Then sang Moses and the children if Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
Lastly, we are also to remember that those that die because of their wicked actions still have souls.
2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slacjness; but is longsuffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
We only get to rejoice in these days post OBL's death because the Lord put the right people in place in order to have it done at this time. If it were to be sooner it would have been, but now was the time in His providential wisdom.
Some men are very happy about this day for more personal reasons. Like this teacher in WA that decided not to shave until OBL was brought to justice. Here is the Before & After photos...
Now, I'm not against facial hair on a man, but it has to look appropriate. And in this case it definitely does not. Unfortunately this poor man ended up looking like Osama Bib Ladin! I can only imagine the comments that he must have endured for the past 10 years, albeit self inflicted. No WAY would I want to go around looking like public enemy #1. Suffice it to say that his wife is happy as well!
My former Pastor was also interviewd on this matter by his local news station in Lubbock. Click the button to see what he says.
As for my own thoughts, well I am satisfied that justice prevailed. But we have a long way to go. OBL was just the posterboy for this particular gang of thugs. We still have men & women that are serving oversears in defense of our freedoms and sadly, for those of us that knew a life pre-9/11, we will never go back to the old normal. I can almost remember those days and they really are gone for good. Let's never forget those that have valiantly served our country, those that are still fighting, and those that still need to be reached with the gospel.
good, 
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