Beware of Saying “YAY!”

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. – Proverbs 24:17-18 

All Political

As of this writing, we are in a tense political season. Everything from the dog catcher to the future Supreme Court Justice is being hotly debated.

What gets me is the constant digging for dirt … the constant jabbing and sticking it to another … the constant slanted and twisted information leaked to the press … the overall sense that it doesn’t matter the means, as long as the enemy falls.

All it takes is one little suggestion that somebody has something incriminating, some new bit of gossip, some possibly damaging bit of info, for the television to flash with “BREAKING NEWS!!” Then, for the next two days, at least, the smallest piece of supposed dirt will become the most talked about item.

Let’s be completely honest, shall we? Every time there’s any suggestion that the current President may fall from office, the excitement exhibited by the media resembles a child before Christmas morning.

Show Mercy

But if people would only take notice of this bit of wisdom found in Proverbs 24:17-18, they would be more careful with their rejoicing. Notice, God is not taking sides with anyone; He’s only saying that we need to be careful how we react when our enemies fall – Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal, or whatever.

“Enemy” could even apply to the one who’s done you harm, the crook that stole from you, or the lover that ditched you for someone else.

Search the Word of God and you will find that He would much rather show mercy than pour out judgment upon evildoers, and that is why the Lord calls for them to repent (Ezekiel 18:32). So, to rejoice with giddy excitement over the fall of your enemy is to run contrary to the nature of God.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. – 1 Peter 4:8

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; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. – Matthew 5:44-45

Those who do end up rejoicing over their enemy’s fall may find themselves disappointed with the end result.