Wasted Cheers - The One Year Daily Wisdom
Wasted Cheers
Read Proverbs 24
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble.
Proverbs 24:17
We may hate to admit it, but sometimes we are glad when things start to go wrong for someone we don’t like. Maybe it’s an adversary at work who suddenly gets fired, or a neighbor we don’t like who has to move away. Finally, we think to ourselves, they are getting what they deserve.
God calls us to a higher standard, however. Sure, we can rejoice when our enemies start to experience persecution in the way they persecuted us, but that misses the most fundamental truth of Christianity—forgiveness. It should pain us when anyone experiences trouble and difficulty. It should be a sad moment when others stumble and fall. Such occurrences should cause us to pray and show love and kindness. When our “enemies” are outside the church, it is a powerful testimony to the true life-changing power of Jesus Christ when we shed a tear for their troubles instead of laughing in glee.
Within the body of believers, it is even more imperative to step forward and help those who stumble, however much we dislike or disagree with them. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
A WORD FOR TODAY
Loving means weeping at an enemy’s disaster.
Today, Lord, fill me with love for my enemies. It is hard sometimes to love them or treat them kindly when they have abused me so much. Lord, I know that you have the power to help me. Soften my heart, and help me to love more freely.