Proverbs 24 - 2.13.26
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 24:17-18
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.
Observation
When someone we disagree with has something bad happen to them, we often think, it’s about time or it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, or I am glad it happened to him all with a smile and a vengeful heart. The Lord does not like judgment on someone we dislike so much so it says he will turn his wrath away from that person.
How angry we can be at a social media post, politicians, or the news. Are we the judge of people? We see the Pharisees question the Disciples about who Jesus is talking with and breaking bread with. They were being judge and jury against Jesus. In Matthew 9:11 it says “When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” I wonder what the disciples were thinking. Are we becoming pharisees with people we disagree with?
Application
Our mission statement at DSC is “Love God, Love People, Make Disciples.” How can we gloat when our enemy fails and love them or make disciples of them at the same time? We know God loves us and them.
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
God loved us so much that he sent Jesus. We need to call out sin when we see it, but do we handle it with love and wisdom that only Jesus can give us? Christ restored us and we should do the same, not with yelling louder or posting memes
Prayer
My Jesus, how glorious is your name. May your name, Jesus, be glorified forever and ever. Jesus, you came here to restore me, and have a relationship with me. Teach me your ways O Lord. Let your word soak down into my soul. Hear my prayers O Lord.
You Jesus are the example on how I am to treat my enemies. Open my eyes to see people the way you see people. When I look at the world, I see bad, crooked, evil people. Jesus, you see lost souls you love. You went to the Cross for them. Forgive me, Jesus, when I gloat. Let me examine myself through your lens Jesus. Amen
- Robert Oberg
