This is one of the worse things we can do, instead of rejoicing about it we should have prayed for this person. We have many excuses for rejoicing and not praying but believe me not one of these excuses are a good one. Why do we do it? Perhaps it is the evil in our heart or is it human nature for us. I am not sure why we do it.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the fruit they were forbidden to eat, it caused every person born to be born with a sinful nature. So it was through Adam that the law of sin and death was introduced to the whole human race.
Proverbs 24:17; "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth":
Just as Adam and Eve had the choice of obeying God we also have a choice. Since God's Word tells us not to rejoice or be glad when our enemy falls then our choice should be what the Lord has told us.
This is not always an easy task to do as our enemy could have done something really terrible to us that was not right but we can do it. We have the Lord on our side and we are able to call on Him to give us the strength to do so. It is a wonderful thing having the Lord on our side to help us in our hour of need.
Proverbs 24:18 "Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him".
If we have hidden in our heart the rejoicing and gladness God knows this. We need to make sure we have not hidden these feelings but gotten rid of them. If we don't God may choose to turn His wrath away from this person. Romans 12:19; "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord". If we have rejoicing and gladness in our hearts isn't this a sort of vengeance and this is what we shouldn't have. We need to let the Lord take care of it.
Matthew 5:44; "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you"; The first time I pray for my enemy it is one of the hardest things I can do, I usually have to ask the Lord to help me and He does, the second time I pray for them it is easier for me. The time comes when I actually enjoy praying for them.
It really isn't fun to see anyone fall or stumble weather they are family, friends, or an enemy, we need to pray earnestly for them.
May you always know the love, joy, and peace of the Lord!
5 comments:
There is a human tendency to rejoice when we see our enemy stumble. But that's not how we are to be as Christians. We are ALL sinners in need of a Savior. We have all experienced God's love and forgiveness and we need to share that with those around us. Great post!
Ouch, this one hurt today, I have to admit I have rejoiced when I have seen someone who has hurt me stumble, or cried no fair when they were blessed and I wasn't, lamenting to God, didn't you see how they hurt me and you bless them? Really? Those were some great lessons in humility.
Blessings.
This is hard because when someone hurts us we want to see them hurt. But that is not what God wants us to feel. Great reminder!
So good. This keeps coming up in my walk. Thank you for sharing. Lord, soften our hearts to You! Thank You for continuously leading us!! In Jesus Name, Amen.
You're right Deane, this is one of the hardest struggles we face as Christians, but also one that we need to carry through on. As people cause us distress, instead of wishing them ill, we need to lift them up in prayer. It's not an easy thing to do for sure, but it is what God wants of us.
Great post!
Have a Blessed Day!
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