Think on this:
To every thing there is a season… A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance … A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
It's entirely proper to rejoice that an evil man, who wished us the ultimate harm, has suffered an ignominious end. But let us not gloat, for there are many, many of his followers who would continue his policies of hatred - and they may yet try to hurt us. Proverbs 24:17-18 has this to say:
Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.
Rather, thank God that one enemy has been defeated, and pray for the brave men and women who continue to defend us.
9 comments:
We all suffer the consequences of our actions, and so did bin Laden. Unfortnately, his actions cost him his life.
Amen, Reverend.
Only but a single step of a difficult journey.
"It's entirely proper to rejoice that an evil man who wished us the ultimate harm, has suffered an ignominious end. But let us not gloat, for there are many, many of his followers who would continue his policies of hatred - and they may yet try to hurt us."
Amen, Rev. Now is not the time to believe this war on terror is finished. One chapter has come to an end but there are more in progress and yet to be written.
What's irritating the living daylights out of me are the people who are telling me that I should only give maybe a "fist pump" in the privacy of my own house. God forbid anyone see that I'm happy about it - how unseemly!
What is this - church? Why can't I be openly glad this scumsucker has met his end at the hands of our military?
Okay - a man is dead. A man who has done more to rip the fabric of this country apart than any other single person in our history. He masterminded the mass murder of thousands and brought about a war that our young men and women are fighting and dying for every day and will be for the foreseeable future.
And I'm supposed to be circumspect??? Seriously?
The fact that I'm damned delighted he is gone makes me like the dirtbags in the Middle East who started this whole thing and celebrated the collapse of the WTC??? Really?
How wonderfully judgemental of them. (can one say anything worse?) And how insidiously nasty of them to blame the American people for being buoyantly happy he is toast.
He's gone. I'm glad. I won't apologize for it.
If I had the gun, I would have pulled the trigger without a second thought or misgiving. The world is a better place without this piece of fish bait. May the devil make his eternity an unending nightmare.
Thanks, Rev, for putting it in perspective.
I thought about Teresa's comment last light. A wise old gospel preacher once made a comment in a sermon that there isn't an answer for "want to".
All we can do is tell people what the Bible has to say. They will listen if they "want to" or they won't if they don't "want to". I understand the urge to publicly proclaim joy in the fact that UBL is dead. I personally am glad he's been brought to justice here on earth. But I won't get out on the street and make a big deal about it. I am content that he is dead and now answering to the Highest Power. The scriptures that were quoted above are enough for me.
Thank you for this post. While I'm relieved at the outcome, I am very uncomfortable with the revelry and carrying his head on a stake through the streets, figuratively speaking.
The Bible verses you posted here were completely right and appropriate for this situation.
Teresa: I do not disagree with much that you say.
For myself, this guy declared war on my/our country and although delayed, finally met the fate such an action requires. Under the circumstances, there was no "collateral" damage.
And perhaps we discovered a snake-in-the-grass during this process that has caused this war to go on longer than need be.
The press talks of celebration in cutting the head off the snake - but I fear this is Medusa - and cutting one head off will not kill the beast.
Yes, we got the figurative token - but we have not yet won the war.
A major goal has been reached, but to use an analogy of WWII: D-Day was successful - but the war continues.
As Rev Paul said: "It's entirely proper to rejoice that an evil man, who wished us the ultimate harm, has suffered an ignominious end. But let us not gloat, for there are many, many of his followers who would continue his policies of hatred - and they may yet try to hurt us."
A smile...grin...full-fledged burbling delight...on our collective faces. But a little early for gung-ho celebration. The war continues
Q
Rev, thanks for this post. It's good to rejoice and give thanks in victory, but the over-the-top gloatfest not only defies common sense, but as you point out, is not pleasing in the eyes of God. Some people might not like this simple truth, but hey, it's what He said through His instrument, Solomon.
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