“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him.” (Proverbs 24:17-18)
God has to make hard decisions with humans. His commitment to justice requires Him to strike people down, punish the evildoer, and inflict consequences upon people – especially when people wage war against His children.
… but He doesn’t enjoy that job. He doesn’t enjoy meting out punishment. He didn’t create us so that He would need punish us, the consequences of sin require He do so, but there is no joy in Him when sinners fall.
And there shouldn’t be for us either. Rejoice that evil is vanquished, but mourn that lives were damaged in the process.
“Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?” (Ezek. 18:23)
Matt 4:4 #Biblebites