However upon greater reflection, it occured to me that God was probably not rejoicing. In fact, we are told exactly how God feels about "the death of the wicked":
Of course, this is consistent with who God is. We all feel that Osama bin Laden got what was coming to him, he deserved to die; he did, after all, plan and fund the deaths of thousands of Americans. He did instigate a war that has cost this country billions in dollars and hundreds of lives. If he didn't deserve to die, who does? Osama died and went to hell (Yes, Rob Bell, he went to hell.) where he will suffer for eternity. And he deserved it. But so do I. So do you.
And the fact that bin Laden's life was one spent promoting evil, does not make him any more deserving of hell than you or I. And just like God loves me, he loves Osama bin Laden. And God isn't rejoicing that Osama is in hell. He would rather he had turned from evil and LIVE. Indeed, that sinners go to hell is truth, but it is also tragic.
You see, when a believer dies, we can say like Paul "to die is gain." But the death of an evil person is not gain, it is only a warning of what would be our fate, the fate of every person that ever lived, good or bad, if it weren't for the grace of God.
But those of us who are living, we have been called to a single purpose - to live for the glory of God. And one day, to die in such a way that will be gain.
However, on the flip side, I do believe that in a way, the death of someone like bin Laden is also a victory. God promises victories over His enemies. And it is only through punishment and death that there is victory. It is glorifying to God when there is victory over evil. And ultimately it is a picture of the judgement day to come. That day when we will all be judged. And our Creator will either see Christ in us or will not. If Christ is not in us, our eternal fate and judgement will be the same as this man who left Americans cheering in the street at his death.
