DO NOT (PART 26) – REJOICE IN THE LORD, NOT MISFORTUNE

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.

Proverbs 24:17-18         

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Yesterday, I wrote from verses 15 and 16 of Proverbs Chapter 24 about how bad things sometimes happen to good people and those who commit offenses against the righteous, those who place their belief and trust in the Lord, should not waste their time as the Lord will restore His faithful ones over and over again while sending consequences on those who victimized them, namely the wicked. This is why it’s a fruitless endeavor to try and do anything against one who is righteous because it won’t really hurt them in the long run but it will hurt the offender.

I say this because there’s little doubt that bad things happen to bad people just as much as they happen to good ones, maybe even more so.

So how are we to respond when someone who committed wickedness on someone faces the Lord’s correction and discipline? Are we to rejoice in their misfortune as if to say, “Good for them. They are getting just what they deserved”?

Human nature would tell us to celebrate in the misfortunes of the wicked, to glory in their difficulties. But as we well know, the Lord does not agree with the world’s view on things and His spirit is in direct contradiction to our flesh.

As we come down the homestretch of our examination of the thirty Sayings of the Wise, we come to the 28th saying which sends us a stern caution regarding how we should react when one who committed a sinful action falls as a result. Look at the words of Solomon:

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. Proverbs 24:17-18

Want people who have committed wrongs to be held accountable for their actions?

Then “do not” gloat or rejoice when a wicked person falls for trust in this, they will fall.

The Lord does not want us to rejoice in the shortcomings of anyone. After all, who are we to judge as we are sinners just as much as anyone else. No, the Lord desires for us to reserve our rejoicing for Him and Him alone, to show Him all our gratitude as He is the one and only source of anything good and perfect that comes to our lives, to include disciplining someone who may have done us or someone else wrong.

Want the Lord’s approval? Serve Him and Him alone. Trust Him and Him alone. Worship Him and Him alone. Rejoice in Him and Him alone. And most of all, love Him and Him alone.

For He will always lead you to His righteousness, His holiness, and His mercy, grace, and love when we place our full focus on Him and Him alone.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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