This has been a week of contemplation as I have tried to process the death of Osama bin Laden. Scriptures in God’s Word and a quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. have given much room for thought. Because I too am a sinner, I have been so grateful that because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, I can receive God’s mercy instead of His justice, when I accept His free gift of Grace.
I also remembered an event that occurred when we went to visit Scott, in Turkey. He took us to meet the owner of the corner grocery store. The grocer pulled up chairs for us so we could sit and visit, made us hot chai, and pulled packages of cookies off the shelf so we could have a snack. Scott would practice his Turkish with this man and continued to ask about his family. After about an hour or so, it was time to meet some other friends. As we were leaving, the man said, “If everyone could have a friend like Scott, our world could have peace.” Oh for the store owner to realize that it is because Scott knows and has a relationship with the Prince of Peace that makes him the person he is.
Father, please help me to choose to live and share Your light and love with the people I encounter this week.
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ezekiel 33:11
11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’
Proverbs 24:17-20
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of the wicked,
20 for the evil man has no future hope,
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
or be envious of the wicked,
20 for the evil man has no future hope,
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
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