The Associated Press (“AP News”) reports that yesterday (1/1/2025), Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S Army veteran, intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd celebrating New Year’s Day in New Orleans, Louisiana, killing 15 persons and opening fire on police. He had previously posted videos to social media stating that he wanted to kill and was inspired by the Islamic State group.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) related that Jabbar steered around a police blockade and slammed into revelers before being shot dead by police. Investigators found guns and what appeared to be an improvised explosive device in the vehicle — which bore the flag of the Islamic State group — along with other explosive devices elsewhere in New Orleans’ famed French Quarter.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Alethea Duncan, stated during a news conference yesterday that “[the FBI does] not believe that Jabbar was solely responsible,” and according to a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin, investigators found multiple improvised explosives, including two pipe bombs concealed within coolers and wired for remote detonation.
The AP News article may be read in full HERE.
AP News is also reporting that yesterday (1/1/2025), a Tesla Cybertruck pulled in front of a hotel owned by President-elect Donald J. Trump and exploded. Firework mortars and camp fuel canisters were found stuffed into the back of the vehicle. The driver perished in the explosion and seven nearby persons were injured.
The incident is being investigated by the FBI to determine if it was an act of terrorism and whether it was connected to the attack in New Orleans by Islamic State group-inspired Shamsud-Din Jabbar.
The AP News article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, evil surrounds us, partly because as a nation, we’ve all but invited it. Following years of (essentially) open U.S. borders under the Biden administration, with limited background checks and releases of undocumented migrants throughout the country, and the prospect of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s return to office imminent, terrorists who have infiltrated the United States under the lax immigration policies, and those who have been radicalized within our borders, seem to realize that time to effect terrorism is running out.
It should be no surprise that just prior to Trump’s inauguration that terrorists are activating and attempting to seed fear and effect political disfunction within the country. Never forget that Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. He hates you and me, but he especially hates Jesus!
Praise God that He gives us wisdom, peace and joy in our lives, even in the face of evil. The Bible tells us that the Lord protects us from evil, guards our paths, and will rescue us from every assault:
Proverbs 2:6-8 (NLT)
“For the Lord grants wisdom! From [H]is mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to [H]im.”
Psalm 91:1-2 and 9-11 (NKJV)
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High [s]hall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; [m]y God, in Him I will trust.’ … Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, [e]ven the Most High, your dwelling place, [n]o evil shall befall you, [n]or shall any plague come near your dwelling; [f]or He shall give His angels charge over you, [t]o keep you in all your ways.”
2 Timothy 4:18 (Amplified Bible)
Paul Testifies of the Lord’s Faithfulness
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and He will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Let’s remember to pray – pray always – and trust that with God, we are protected. Jesus tells us many times to ‘fear not’ in the Bible:
Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV)
“The fear of man brings a snare, [b]ut whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
