Vengeance is...

not mine. I was shocked last night to hear the news that Bin Laden had finally been captured. Not only captured, but, killed. Ten years is a long time to be on a manhunt. (I certainly wouldn’t have been on a manhunt for a husband that long!)

I struggled a lot last night with my feelings over his death. There was at first a sense of shock. I can’t believe they finally did it. Then, there was relief. It was finally over. Then, there was sadness. My Daddy would have loved to hear that. There is also a new fear. What will they try to do now?

The biggest struggle for me has been how thrilled so many people are to see a man dead. The Bible tells us that one sinner returned to the Lord causes heaven to rejoice. It also tells us what awaits those who do not turn to the Lord before death. Are we really so thrilled to think of him suffering for all eternity?

Do I believe he deserved justice? Absolutely. I think it was the right thing to do for the military to go in, pursue him, and give him the option to surrender and receive his fair trial. He refused to surrender. His death was justified. Upon his death, he answers to only One. I, for one, would not want to be standing before the Lord and answering for the things he has done.

Romans 12:19 says: Dearly Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.” Says the Lord. I do not believe in vengeance. It is unhealthy. It causes bitterness and anger. The desire for vengeance can turn into an obsession. It is not the place of any human, particularly Christians, to seek vengeance, that is the Lord’s job.

However, God gave us guidelines, just, righteous guidelines to follow and we must follow them. Bin Laden did not follow God’s guidelines and was brought to justice, which God permits by commanding us to obey the law of the land and those who rule over us. The order was given and implemented and a man is dead. May God have mercy on his soul.