""Evil Bagged in Baghdad"
- Joni Ames
JONIAMES@aol.com
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
Isaiah 21:9, "And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground."
This morning the world watched as the statue of Saddam Hussein was toppled in the midst of the city of Baghdad. American Marines helped the Iraqi people in this valiant proclamation of freedom and the end of an evil regime.
First an American flag was put over Saddam's face like a bag, as the evil power of his regime was "bagged in Baghdad." Then a rope and an Iraqi flag were put around the neck. One who knows their Bible stories couldn't help but recall the Bible story in the book of Esther where Haman was hanged on his own gallows!
As Marines helped pull the statue of Saddam forward, it bowed and broke off at the knees. The Word clearly promises that all will bow their knees to the One True God!
A Sign of Redemption
The Iraqi people danced, cheered, and threw their shoes as the symbol of their evil dictator fell! In the Old Testament, this was a sign of redemption. In the book of Ruth 4:7 it says,
"Now this was the manner in former time (in Israel)
concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things;
a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor:
and this was a testimony (in Israel.)"
Additionally, newsmen are saying that showing an enemy the sole of your shoe is a great insult in the Middle East. Interestingly, there were scenes of men holding up Saddam's photo, hitting it in the eyes and face with the sole of their shoe!
It didn't take long for the Iraqi people to break the head of Saddam off of the statue, and with the rope still attached to the neck, drag and ride the head through the streets! Whether Saddam is actually dead or not, the people have made a clear display of their choice for freedom.
It Must Be God that Gets the Glory
It isn't over, but as American Christians, let us pray that it is remembered that it is GOD who gets any glory in this! And to pray for continued protection of our president, servicemen and country.
In the Old Testament, when the idols were destroyed, the people flourished. But the key is that they additionally turn to the True God, and not another idol.
Let us continue to pray for the Iraqi people that they will now hear and obey the voice of the One True God, and be protected from any further oppression.
Amos 9:11 & 12 promises a remnant in Edom in this time, so let us also pray for brave witnesses that will bring forth a great harvest to the Lord at this time.
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We are living in days when God's glory is indeed guiding our forces, and although the peril exists, so do our noble intentions to secure an atmosphere in which Godly principles might flourish.
Father, let the Iraquis and others in the Middle East truly 'see' our intentions are for their good, and come to recognize the One True God.
I will continue praying in earnest and in spiritual warfare for our troops and for the situation in Iraq - all of us can do this daily. We know how. We just have to resolve to do so. And we will. Also, we can commit our lives to HIM and those of our loved ones.
He is worthy of all our Praise!