June 24

Jun 24 - Today from Proverbs 24 we look at verses 17 & 18
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn His wrath away from him."

God's wrath is righteous and just, but there is no pleasure involved. In the last Day many will endure the wrath of God, but it remains the will of His heart that none should perish. Ezekiel 33:11 could not make it more clear; "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." We are not in harmony with the Father if we take delight in the misfortunes and death of our perceived enemies. Hatred is never a proper motivation for a war. Self-preservation and justice can be. When motivation is hatred and revenge, it becomes a force of evil and God withdraws His approval.
As individuals, Jesus calls for us to actually love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Then He gives the reason why, "That you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (5:45). A good son follows the proper examples set by his father. Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9). Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him - even from the very cross to which they nailed Him. When you love and pray for your enemies, it is very difficult to gloat and rejoice when they stumble and fall. If they do fall, it is to be a sovereign act of God's justice through whatever instrument He desires, and not an act of the revenge of His sons. James 1:20 says, "Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." Conversely, we can say that the righteous life God desires was never intended to gratify the anger of man.
In regards to the implementation of justice, I would like to point out some principles from other verses of this chapter. Verses 24 and 25 indicate that justice is to be implemented by the governing authorities authorized to convict or release, and that they themselves will be judged according to their integrity in service of justice. Verse 29 makes it very clear that the individual and the unauthorized do not have permission or authority to take justice into his/their own hands. It is ludicrous to say to the governing authorities "Judge not." That is their responsibility before God (Romans 13:1-6), and they will give an accounting to God. When you see such admonitions and commands in the Bible, they are directed toward individuals. There is no peace or Godliness in a nation ruled by vigilantism and anarchy - "Every man doing that which is right in his own eyes." I do not want to live in such a nation.
As the church, we can easily apply these principles. God has ordained offices of authority in the church. They will stand before God one day and give an accounting for their actions (Hebrews 13:17). The members of the church will also give an accounting - as to how well they submitted to the authority of the leaders and did not take judgment into their own hands. Vigilantism in the church is far too common, and destroys the unity and the testimony of the church. As believers we are to pray for our enemies, bless those who persecute us, and leave judgment to God through His appointed instruments. We are to be in such close relationship with the Lord that we empathize with His passion for those who do not yet know Him. We should mourn for those who are headed for a Christless eternity, and not rejoice in their demise and misfortune. If and when possible, we are to offer them a 'cup of cold water', and minister to their needs. All of this is only possible in the power of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of grace.