restoring our biblical and constitutional foundations

                

Iraq: The Perfect Storm

 David Alan Black 

I firmly believe that the Bible is as up-to-date as the daily newspaper. So when I read Acts 27:13-14 today, I couldn’t help thinking about the mess in Iraq one year after the capture of Saddam Hussein.

The master of the ship thought Paul’s voyage to Rome would be quick and easy. Paul had warned him of impending danger, but the master ignored him. A soft south wind blew, and away they went, “supposing that they had obtained their purpose.” But soon they encountered “a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon” (Acts 27:14). The resulting shipwreck almost cost them their lives.

When Saddam Hussein was captured last year, President Bush declared, “In the history of Iraq, a dark and painful era is over.” General John Abizaid, head of the U.S. Central Command, said the capture had dealt the insurgency “a huge psychological blow” that would “pay great benefits over time.” The commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Major General Jay Odierno, whose troops had captured Saddam, declared the insurgency to be “on its knees.” “Within six months I think you’re going to see some normalcy,” he added.

One year later, Iraq is in chaos. Here are the cold, hard facts:
  • More American soldiers have died in Iraq since Saddam’s capture than before.
  • Insurgent attacks across the country last month averaged 100 a day – nearly double July’s figure when they were supposed to be vanishing.
  • The threat of kidnapping is now so common that no Westerner dares walk the streets of any town.
  • The Pentagon is increasing troop numbers in Iraq to a record high of 150,000 to provide security for January’s elections.

It’s too bad the president listened to the “masters of the ship” rather than to the U.S. Constitution and our Founding Fathers. Hearing nothing but suave, soothing counsel he supposed he could obtain his purpose and so set sail. In the process he unleashed upon Americans the greatest Euroclydon since Vietnam.

Perhaps the Body of Christ can learn a lesson here. We, too, live in a day of the soft, south wind. Tolerance and good will, sweetness and light – so the south wind gently blows. Meanwhile, evangelicals join light with darkness, preach concord between Christ and Belial, and gladly sign truces with false doctrine. But just over the horizon lies Euroclydon. And multitudes the world over will pay the price for our folly. What else can we expect when we heed the counsel of men rather than the warnings of God?

If I could say one thing to the president it would not be, “I told you so.” It would be, “The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. Hear Him.” Mr. Bush listened to the voice of the people instead of the voice of truth. A mere year after declaring a “dark and painful era” over in Iraq, he is just beginning to experience the Perfect Storm.

December 13, 2004

David Alan Black is the editor of www.daveblackonline.com. He is the author of Why I Stopped Listening to Rush and numerous other books.

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