Let Freedom Ring!

Usually when I blog it is because I cannot keep something inside and today is no different. The events that transpired at the beginning of this week have stirred up a passion in me that I can't ignore. I've tried for a couple of days to "just let it go" but I cannot. It is too important an issue to me to keep silent.

When I awoke Monday morning to learn that a well-known terrorist had been found and killed, it brought back a flood of memories from 9-11 so quickly and vividly. I saw pictures of people all across our nation who were coming together in the streets once again. Only this time it was not out of fear and confusion, it was to rejoice over a victory in this battle that has raged for ten years.

I was then very shocked to see that numerous Christian friends on Facebook thought all the celebrating was wrong because someone had died. I believe they totally misread the situation. We are not happy about someone's death, we are thankful for this huge victory! I am very, very saddened over the fact that this man went into eternity without humbling himself and trusting Christ as his Savior. That said, I will not mourn during this time! I believe it is a God-given victory and I will rejoice in that. I believe it IS right and biblical!

You may say that dancing in the streets is going too far. If it is just because someone lost their life, then I absolutely agree with you. However, that is not the case with most people out there. They are celebrating that once again, good has triumphed over evil! It is not a new thing to celebrate in this way.

Remember times of victory in the Bible? They rejoiced openly in these situations openly! Yes, people had died but that was the consequences of their own actions. God loves ALL people and makes Himself known to all, but if you continue down the path of rejection too far, you will meet horrible consequences.

God, in His mercy, will put a stop to those who persecute the innocent! And when He does, should we mourn their loss or celebrate God's mercy and power?

I am disheartened to realize how soft and weak Christianity has become in our day. We should fight strong against evil inside and out! We should celebrate strong when God brings victories! If we remain quiet and silent how will God's glory be magnified? If God's people in the Bible had just gone on with life after a victory, would we notice what a big deal it was? We tend to remember big celebrations. It is a way we recall what God has done; birthdays, weddings, victories in our individual lives and our life as a nation.

Perhaps you are wondering why I am making a big deal over this. It is because I believe this is a big deal. What I cannot believe is that some in the Christian community say they can't be happy in this situation! If not now, then when?! I do not believe the godly thing to do is mourn this man's death. Where have we gone wrong in our perception of who God is? I hate to think where our country is headed if Christians can't summon the courage to say, "Yes, evil has been defeated again! Thank You, Lord, and thank you, Armed Forces!" It IS ok (and right) to rejoice when the enemy has been defeated!

Psalm 143:12 says, "In Your steadfast love ou will cut off my enemies, and You will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant." God gives these victories out of love and mercy! How can we not praise Him for it? It IS biblical!

"He does not preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the oppressed." Job 36:6
"To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." Proverbs 21:3
"The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness... It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity." Proverbs 21:12&15
"Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:17

How exactly do we think God saved David from his enemies in all the Psalms that we read? We want and pray for God's protection and mercy, but we don't want it to get ugly. The spiritual and physical war we fight isn't pretty or nice sometimes! God is a just and merciful God. He is loving He loves us enough to let us choose if we receive His mercy through the blood of His Son or continue in our pride and pay the price ourselves. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

I am very sorry this man chose to ignore God's grace. I wish he had chosen otherwise. But because he did not, I will thank the Lord for not allowing his sin to affect others any longer.

One question I have in all this; Have we forgotten? We've said for ten years, "Never forget!" But have we? I am so proud to be an American! I am proud of our nation's heritage and I will support our troops in protecting us even when the going gets tough! I am thankful there are those who aren't afraid to do so. We as Americans have taken for granted the freedom we have, and why we have it. I also believe we as Christians take for granted why we have what we have in Christ.

The Christian life is filled with battles. We love the victories but we forget that they are a result of fighting the good fight. Yes, you can - and must - fight a good fight and keep your faith. They go hand in hand. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 Fighting involves pain and unpleasantness. But when victory comes it is and should be sweet.

God has entrusted four boys to me. The age in which they are growing up is complicated and difficult. But I am resolved to train and raise them to be strong men of God. Men who will not shy away from choices that are hard and unpopular. My goal is to raise them to be as 1 Chronicles 12:32 says the sons of Issachar were. I want them to have an understanding of the times and know what they ought to do. I want them to understand the age and world they are living in and to know God fully in order to know what they ought to do to bring Him glory.

I cannot fully explain why I am so passionate on this subject other than the fact that it is my great desire to see the church, my nation, and my children remain strong as the day of Christ's return draws near. It is of vital importance that we continue to see God in His entirety. God IS love. He does not want ANY to perish. But when those who reject Him continue in their sin and ways of destruction, He cannot and will not allow that to go on. We, as His sons and daughters, must glorify Him in this as much as any other aspect of who He is. In His mercy and love He cuts off our enemies. Love and justice. The two do go together. Not only that, they cannot be separated.

So, let freedom ring! And praise the One Who gives us that freedom!