Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from them – Prov. 24:17-18
Americans are waking up this week to the news that al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden is dead.
President Barack Obama announced late Sunday night in a televised appearance that U.S. forces killed bin Laden during a firefight in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
"The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al-Qaida," Obama said.
It's been 10 years now since al-Qaida carried out what Obama called the worst attack on the American people in U.S. history.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when four planes were hijacked, with two of them crashing into the Twin Towers in New York City and another into The Pentagon in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 11.
In response, the U.S. launched a war on terror in 2001.
Obama informed the American people on Sunday that shortly after taking office two years ago he directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, "to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al-Qaida."
On Sunday, the U.S. launched a targeted operation against the compound bin Laden was hiding in and after a firefight, killed the terrorist. No Americans were harmed.
Immediately after the announcement, Americans began celebrating. The question I asked myself was this: “Is it right for Christians to celebrate the death of a man – any man?”
Here are some responses I have come across:
"I DO mourn death -- The widespread death that Bin Laden's life created. Today we MUST celebrate the sacrifice & victory of our troops.”
"I unapologetically celebrate multitudes of people who will have an opportunity to live because of this man's death. That is good-THAT is victory."
"The thousands of people who Bin Laden sent into a Christless eternity; forced to endure hell on earth receive all my sympathy."
One can certainly understand the above responses. Here was a man who cut short the lives of over 3000 people on September 11, 2001 and who also ruined the lives of thousands of others who had relationships with those killed.
However, I was worried and taken back at some of the other kind of rejoicing I witnessed on TV. I saw American college students reveling outside the White House, shouting, chanting “USA” and spilling beer. Such an image does not reflect well on this country.
Joyfully celebrating the killing of a killer who joyfully celebrated killing carries an irony that I hope will not be lost on us. Are we learning anything, or simply participating in our own way in the cycle of violence?
Folks, we must not forget this: Although the death of Bin Laden has probably made the world a little more safe, his death has not made the world more beautiful. Only Jesus can do this. Only Jesus can give the world peace, beauty, purpose and hope.
While the death of bin Laden marks a tremendous victory, the fight against terrorism is not over, Obama made this clear.
"There’s no doubt that al-Qaida will continue to pursue attacks against us," he said in his address. "We must – and we will – remain vigilant at home and abroad."
How does the Lord feel about the death of Bin Laden? I think God is both sad and happy. Here are some passages to show what I mean:
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? . . . For I do not pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live. (Ezekiel 18:23, 32). Therefore, based on this, God is not happy over the death of the wicked.
In another sense, the death and judgment of the unrepentant is God’s pleasure:
Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will vent my fury upon them and satisfy myself. (Ezekiel 5:13)
Wisdom calls out: Because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you. (Proverbs 1:25–26)
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her! (Revelation 18:20)
As the Lord took delight in doing you good . . . so the Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. (Deuteronomy 28:63).
Emotions can be so complex, just ask any man who has been married to a woman for some time! And since we are created in the image of God, our emotions are also complex. On the one hand we love a certain restaurant one day, but hate it on another. We say we love a movie, but did not like the acting. How about this one: God loves the sinner, but hates the sin? See what I mean?
Remember this: The death and misery of the unrepentant (Bin Laden) is in and of itself not a pleasure to God. God is not a sadist. He is not malicious or bloodthirsty. The death and suffering considered for itself alone is not His delight.
However, when a rebellious, wicked, unbelieving person is judged, what God has pleasure in is the exaltation of truth and righteousness, and the vindication of His own honor and glory.
Likewise, this should also be our response. We should not exalt and rejoice over the death of a lost sinner (Remember Proverbs 24 above), but we should always rejoice over the triumph of truth and the vindication of God’s own honor and glory. This I believe is the correct response for Christians.
