Instead, we watched the news coverage through the initial speculations, President Obama's address, and as the crowds began to gather in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Afterward, I spent time thinking through what I had heard and about the scene that unfolded after the President confirmed that Bin Laden was dead.
I am thankful that God has removed such a threatening and murderous man from among mankind. This man's actions and his influence have led to the deaths of thousands around the world. He has sought to destroy anyone who disagrees with his ideology and was a danger to all men. His disregard for human life and his murderous actions placed him under the wrath of God who Himself declares, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image," (Genesis 9:6). Thankfully, through God's sovereignty, this murderer's hiding spot was discovered, he was confronted, and his reign of destruction and hatred was ended.
I think that President Obama, our intelligence agencies, and our military rightly handled this situation and faithfully executed the power that has been entrusted to them by God. Paul reminds us in Romans 13:1-4, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment... for he does not bear the sword in vain, For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." Having the power and authority to protect life by taking life is one of the greatest responsibilities God entrusts to men. It should never be taken lightly or used recklessly. If everything was researched, discussed, planned, and executed as we have been told, I feel confident that our leaders and soldiers exercised that responsibility well.
I am disgusted by the reaction of the media and by those who have taken this as an opportunity to celebrate. Many of the headlines in papers and magazines across this country should have never been printed. Gatherings like the ones that took place in Washington, D.C. and New York ought never to have happened. The comments posted on twitter and some made by media hosts last night were appalling. Many people were giving praise to God that Ben Laden had been killed. What does God say about the death of this man?
"Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?" Ezekiel 18:23
"For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live." Ezekiel 18:32
I understand that this brought some closure and relief to grieving families of those who lost loved ones on 9/11/01 and to those who have lost loved ones serving in our armed forces fighting terrorism and pursuing this man. My heart grieves with them and I am glad that some sense of justice was carried out that aided in their grieving process. However, rejoicing in justice served and rejoicing in loss of a human life are two different things. Celebrating the death of Bin Laden is a display of the same disregard for the value of human life that he ultimately was hunted down and killed for. It makes us no less a murderer than he was. Bin Laden was a man created in the image of God just like you and me. As an image bearer of God his life had value and Jesus died so that Bin Laden's life could be redeemed just as our lives can if we place our faith in Him alone for salvation. Because Bin Laden rejected Christ and refused God's redemptive plan he is now separated from God for all eternity. God finds no pleasure in that and neither should we.
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him." Proverbs 24:17
How should we respond to the death of Bin Laden? I believe we should give praise to God that He has protected us from a great enemy and has delivered him into our hands. Throughout the Psalms, David always gave glory to God for delivering him from his enemies but he never rejoiced in their death. In fact, he mourned over the death of his enemy (2 Samuel 1:11-12). Also, even though our leaders used the power of the sword given to them by God to kill a murderer, we still must treat his death with the dignity that all human life deserves. Joshua used the sword to executed five Amorite kings who were his enemies (Joshua 10). Joshua pursued them, cornered them in a cave, brought them out, and forcefully executed all five of them. He gave praise to God for delivering him and his men from their enemies (10:25), he made an example of the five kings for all to see (10:26), and then he buried them (10:27) which showed his regard for the dignity of human life.
Give thanks to God that He has worked through His appointed authorities to remove an enemy of mankind from our midst. Thank Him for protecting life by taking the life of someone who does not value life. Be grateful for the courage and resolve of our President, his staff, and our military, and ask God to protect them and continue to give them wisdom. Finally, learn to love that which is most precious to our Lord Jesus...ALL human life. Death is not natural but is the result of sin which separates us from God. This is why God does not delight in death, even the death of a wicked man. For this very reason Jesus died on the cross and overcame death through his resurrection that we might have forgiveness of our sins, be reconciled to God, and have eternal life. How horrible to rejoice in the very thing that destroys us and not that which restores us to our Creator. Bin Laden delighted in the deaths of those who opposed him. By the grace of God may we not be like him.
"I am the resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25
