Conflicted

“say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution He will come to save you.’”  Isaiah 35:4

“It is Mine to avenge; I will repay...”  Deuteronomy 32:35

I just heard the news that Osama bin Laden is dead.  While I am very thankful that he is no longer able to lead others into terrorist’s plots, I am conflicted.  The Lord’s justice has been meted out and I’m thankful for His deliverance from this man of evil.  However, there is the other side of the story that bothers me.  Unless this man Osama bin Laden cried out to the One True God through His Son Jesus Christ at some point in his life, he now resides in Hell, eternally separated from the One Who loved Him so much that He died for him.  That breaks my heart.  Bin Laden thought he was going to the Islamic version of Heaven, now only to find that he must stand face-to-face with the One True God.  Apart from salvation through Jesus Christ no one can do that and remain in His holy Presence.  For Osama bin Laden and all who reject Christ as their personal Savior, there is only eternal separation from the God Who created them and loves them forever and unconditionally.  They face an eternity of the darkest darkness and the weeping and gnashing of teeth.  I cannot desire that for anyone, not even Osama bin Laden and his cohorts.  I just cannot.  My heart longs for all to come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is the Father’s desire and it is mine.