Do Not Rejoice When
Your Enemy Falls
by Brad Sherman
November 12, 2001
Today, another
jet crashed in New York City and more than 200 lives were lost. As I write
this, it has not yet been determined if this was another act of terrorism
or if it was simply an accident that is brutally coincidental. Either way,
Many are undoubtely recalling the vivid images of what happened on Setptember
11.
One thing that
comes to my mind is the video footage of certain people rejoicing in the
streets at the news of our calamity. Somehow I sense that similar celebrations
are happening again today, whether this latest tragedy was an accident
or not. I am reminded of this passage from Proverbs:
...He who is glad at calamity
will not go unpunished.
— Proverbs 17:5 NKJV
As a child I can
remember times when my father disciplined my brother or sister. I knew
not to laugh, smile, or be happy about it. I understood that I would receive
even more severe discipline if I did! It is the same with God.
In the days of
Ezekiel, God had allowed His people Israel to suffer judgment and even
allowed the sanctuary of the temple to be profaned. Yet in the midst of
chastising His own people, He was angered at those who rejoiced because
of it.
Say to the Ammonites, “Hear the
word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD: Because you said, 'Aha!'
against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel
when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into
captivity, indeed, therefore, I will deliver you as a possession to the
men of the East, and they shall set their encampments among you and make
their dwellings among you; they shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink
your milk.”
— Ezekiel 25:3-4 NKJV
There are many views
concerning the attack on America. Is it the Judgment of God for our disobedience?
If so, how severe will the judgment be? These are hard questions, but it
seems clear from history and scripture that God uses the terrible
circumstances of war and tragedy to cause people who have strayed from
Him to return. In the most general sense, we must believe that God is righteous
and He governs the affairs of men to work His will.
Some believe
America will fall. I do not. I believe this nation was founded on Godly
principles with a purpose. It is my belief that America has a future and
will yet again experience a great revival and be used by God to propagate
the gospel. Therefore, let us fear God and conduct ourselves with wisdom
even as we fight our enemies. As we see victories over our enemies, may
we not rejoice, but may we soberly and humbly remember God’s Word:
Do not rejoice when your enemy
falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the LORD
see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him. — Proverbs
24:17-18 NKJV)
We should pray...
-
that our armies will have victory over our
enemies
-
that the innocent will be protected
-
that, as a nation, we may not rejoice over
the calamity of our enemies
-
that a sober and humble attitude will prevail
in our nation
-
that God will bring revival to our nation
and to the nations with whom we war.
Remember, God has purpose and we need His
perspective.
.
If this article strikes
a chord in your heart, maybe you would like to hear more about:
The World Peace Seminar
or
Destiny
101 Seminar
contact
Purpose Ministries
P.O. Box 5004
Coralville, Iowa 52241
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