"For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."
Habakkuk 2:3
Osama bin Laden held the world by the throat for the last twenty or so years, but his reign of terror ended yesterday. People who knew bin Laden said he was quiet and mild-mannered, yet his life's fruit of hate, violence and destruction deny any mildness of manner. He plotted and carried out assassinations, spread hate through false teachings, plotted mass destruction, ended the lives of thousands in violence, and pursued the death of anyone with whom he disagreed in philosophy, ideals, and religion. He was elusive to American hands for so long we began to paint him as larger than life, a phantom bogey man who couldn't be stopped or killed. But bin Laden was flesh and blood and his heart stopped, his time passed, his deeds ended, and now his soul awaits God's judgment. I wonder how the fear and terror bin Laden inflicted on his fellow humans compares to his terror when he realized he was wrong about Jesus,
"Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:6-11
How does a soul like bin Laden feel as his knees buckle to the undeniable Lordship of Jesus Christ and as his own tongue testifies against everything he lived for to admit that Jesus reigns? I'm not gloating - I'm just glad I've learned to bend my knees voluntarily to the One Who's in charge and know I never need to fear a man for what he can do to the body because he can never touch my soul.
"Fear of a man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10
Father You exalted Your only Son and our Savior Jesus to the highest place in heaven . Thank You for revealing Him to us through Your Word and Your Spirit here on earth. Thank You for calling us into Your outstretched Arms to reveal Your great Love to us. Help us live in authentic relationship with You so we don't blind people to the Truth of Christianity. May our relationship to You dictate every choice we make, every relationship we have. Live abundantly in us so others - even the bin Ladens of the world, can't point fingers to hypocrites and not believe You are the One True God and Jesus is the Only Way to You. May we fear no human being's power but trust You completely.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, Whose Power and Authority strike us with awe and soothe us with Peace!
Inspired by Jesus Calling
photo from photobucket.com
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