Really!

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet 3:9 (KJV)

Really? Well what about Bin Laden? Does he actually count too? We now know that he died in a US military led operation on a secure compound in Pakistan, as reported on 2^nd May 2011. The reactions are predictable, and I have to confess to being in the number that thought, “that's good, and about time”. The fact that he had died in the gunfight didn't really bother me too much, after all, what would have happened in the courts if he had been taken alive? The trial would have been years of wrangling as all these top lawyers argued the merits of the case. Euphoria, chanting and cheering people are lining the towns and cities around the USA, cheering the death with unashamed happiness. “We” cheer the death of Bin Laden, and “They” cheer the fall of the Twin Towers. Take another look at the verse.

Isn't it good that we have a God who is longsuffering, and patient, even towards the least deserving, because that is a characteristic of God that we humans don't seem to possess. At this point, I do not want to be misunderstood. Bin Laden's crimes are legion, and his life has been driven by an evil we cannot ever quite imagine. He did deserve to be found and stopped before he masterminded any more terror from his Islamic Extremist mindset. No, I am just reminded once again, of the difference in 'mind' between us and our God, and glad that He is the ultimate judge, not us.

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Gen 18:25 (KJV)

Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. Proverbs 24:17-18 (NLT)

Oh and by the way, that same God will be our judge too, so it is always important that we continue to “live right”, Right?