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| US soldier at press conference in Baghdad, Iraq stands next to photo purporting to show body of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi |
Top terrorist Zarqawi is killed
Posted 6/8/06
In the end, his "safe house" wasn't so safe.
Iraq's most wanted man, terrorist chieftain Abu Musab Zarqawi, was killed last night in an aerial attack consisting of two 500-pound American bombs guided onto his once-secret redoubt some 50 miles northeast of Baghdad, President Bush, and other U.S. officials announced this morning. The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, said Zarqawi's body was identified by facial recognition, including scars, and by fingerprints (DNA testing is underway).
A death photo of the Jordanian-born leader of "al Qaeda in Mesopotamia" was placed in front of journalists at a Baghdad briefing; video footage showed an obliterated house, toppled palm tree, and shredded items from the house. The target was an isolated house in the area of Hibhib, just north of the strife-torn town of Baquba. Seven Zarqawi aides, including his spiritual adviser, were said to have died as well. An al Qaeda-linked web site confirmed "the joyous news of the martyrdom."
Bush, in an early morning Rose Garden statement, hailed the death as "a severe blow to al Qaeda. It's a significant victory in the war on terror."
However, Bush also cautioned that "tough days" still lie ahead in Iraq, even as "the developments of the last 24 hours give us renewed confidence in the final outcome of this struggle."
Zarqawi's demise may dampen some of the insurgency's efforts to ignite Sunni-Shiite conflict, and his particular group may, at least for a while, be hobbled by his loss.
But terrorist bombings in Baghdad later today suggest that some insurgents may step up attacks to demonstrate their continued relevance.
photo courtesy AP & story courtesy usnews.com, 6/8/06
24Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. 25If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. 26And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?
WHAT DOES JESUS SAY ABOUT THE COST OF FOLLOWING HIM? HOW CAN WE FIND TRUE LIFE BY LOSING OURS?
The news of top terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi being killed is both good and bad. Time will tell if this evil man's death results in less progress for Islamic Jihad, but it is good news for the world that he is gone.
For Zarqawi, the news is bad. By now, he knows that his eternal separation from the true and living God has begun. Allah is false, but hell is real.
As Christians, we may feel some relief for Iraq and for our men and women serving in that part of the world. We may even feel that justice has been served for Zarqawi's murderous actions.
But our hearts should also break because Zarqawi was just one of many who have believed a lie from Satan and it led to his death and eternal separation from God. This terrorist was willing to take the lives of thousands and lose his own life for something that is false.
Christ has called each of us who have trusted Him as our Savior to be willing to believe and follow His Truth in every part of our lives, even to the point of losing our lives. The Son of God calls us to give our lives in service, not take lives.
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes explain it this way:
16:25 The possibility of losing their lives was very real for the disciples as well as for Jesus. Real discipleship implies real commitment - pledging our whole existence to His service. If we try to save our physical life from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing eternal life. If we protect ourselves from the pain God calls us to suffer, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally, Our lives turn inward, and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our life in service to Christ, however, we discover the real purpose of living.
Christ gave His life so that we could live. Will you give your life to Him?
- Memorize Matthew 16:24-26. These words of Jesus should be on the mind of every believer every day!
- Whenever you see news reports of deceived individuals killing and dying for the sake of Islam, let Christ remind you to give your life for His sake.
- Pray regularly for the good news of Jesus Christ to be made known to millions of Muslims around the world. Pray that Christ's followers will show compassion and reach out to them with the loving forgiveness of the true God.
- Pray every day for the men and women who are laying their lives on the line in war zones around the world. Pray that freedom and peace will prevail.
- Talk to other students and friends about today's Devo.
Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.
Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.