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Don't rejoice when your enemies fall; don't be happy when they stumble. For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. Proverbs 24:17-18 NLT
Bible commentator John Gill make a distinction in today’s verses in reference to enemies, saying: “Joy may be expressed at the fall of the public enemies of God and his people, as was by the Israelites at the destruction of Pharaoh and his host (Exodus 15:1); and as will be by the church at the destruction of antichrist, and which they are called upon to do (Revelation 18:20)…but as private revenge is not to be sought.”
Did somebody’s name pop into your mind as you read that quote? Who are you tempted to exact private revenge against? Instead, are you willing to begin praying for him, in accordance with what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44-45: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
The Christian is called to live differently than the world. What better way to show the world how powerful the Gospel is than by loving your enemies, even when everything in your flesh doesn’t want to do so.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be known as someone who loves like Jesus does. Show me ways to love my enemies well.
Bible commentator John Gill make a distinction in today’s verses in reference to enemies, saying: “Joy may be expressed at the fall of the public enemies of God and his people, as was by the Israelites at the destruction of Pharaoh and his host (Exodus 15:1); and as will be by the church at the destruction of antichrist, and which they are called upon to do (Revelation 18:20)…but as private revenge is not to be sought.”
Did somebody’s name pop into your mind as you read that quote? Who are you tempted to exact private revenge against? Instead, are you willing to begin praying for him, in accordance with what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44-45: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
The Christian is called to live differently than the world. What better way to show the world how powerful the Gospel is than by loving your enemies, even when everything in your flesh doesn’t want to do so.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be known as someone who loves like Jesus does. Show me ways to love my enemies well.
