Rejoicing is Misplaced

Last evening after church, we all ran home to the news that Bin Laden had finally been killed. Justice was served, right? Yes and no.

For a radical Islamist, being killed for the cause is instant martyrdom. Which gives their followers license to go on a revenge binge.

Then we have the television filled with scenes of Americans celebrating his death all around the country- cheering, parties, gloating and rejoicing over the death of an enemy. Even passing around so-called photos of his dead body. So how is that any different than their celebrations when something bad happens to us? How did our reaction serve to show them a better way? It didn't.We can be satisfied that an enemy is finally gone, but more enemies will arise. We can be thankful that an evil madman has been removed, but rejoicing in the streets is another matter entirely.

Proverbs 24:17 is a word that people have obviously never been taught:

"Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown. Lest the Lord see it, and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender.]" Amplified version

Here is the wider spiritual implication: He is dead, which means he had to stand before God for his actions. Evil men stand in a very slippery place. He didn't get his 70 virgins, he got judgment. Unless he repented in that last blast of a missile, he was lost for all of eternity.

We will never show the world what America is supposed to be if we continue to act and sound like everyone else. When we live in revenge, anger, and hatred, we become like our enemies.

Don't get me wrong- I'm a "hawk" - I believe in fighting, strength, weapons, and giving bullies a bloody nose. But I don't believe in dancing on graves. We must be careful not to be like them. We are supposed to be different. We are America.