Do you live in grace and mercy?
TODAY’S PROVERB: Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, or let your heart be glad when he stumbles, or ADONAI may see it as evil in His eyes, and turn His wrath away from him. Proverbs 24:17-18
As millions celebrate the birth of the Messiah to the world, there’s a hope for good folks to pass on the peace they receive because of Him (Luke 2:14). We try to be more gracious and stay in the place of gratitude.
Interestingly enough, major crimes go down over the holidays, except for car break-ins.
Once the new year begins, things seem to pretty much go back to normal. But, as followers of Jesus our hearts should reside in a place of gratitude, joy, and forgiveness all year long. That gratitude and happiness, by the way, should never be at the expense of others.
Today’s proverb speaks of the writer’s warning to not take pleasure in those we’re angry with when they stumble and fall.
When someone who has mistreated us–or those we care about–experience hard times or a judgment for their wrong actions, we can’t take pleasure in that. Especially brothers and sister in the Messiah. Not even a little. We can’t promote the news in such a fashion that keeps their sin in the minds and hearts of others–and most importantly us. We have to forgive. Have to.
Justice is not revenge. Justice is accountability balanced with GOD’s will and purposes. When we take pleasure even in a justified verdict, it’s like a spiritual act of revenge. We leave no room for restoration in our hearts and restoration is where our Heavenly Father lives.
Saul/Paul deserved the full extent of the Messianic community’s anger for all he did. What if that was the end of his story? No redemption? No restoration? No zealous preacher and teacher to the Gentiles? No epistles beautifully penned by him? We simply don’t know GOD’s end game–His purposes.
It’s natural to feel a sense of satisfaction that justice prevailed, but we can’t stay in that place. We need to remember that GOD always seeks to reconcile His children to Him. He is holy and hates sin, but He knows that His love through the death and resurrection of His Son can cover a multitude of sins. Aren’t we staking our eternity on that?
As people who live in GOD’s grace and mercy, we must stay in that place of grace. Keeping our eyes on Him keeps us open to His next move, whatever that may be. Whether it’s restoration or not, we must live in forgiveness and gratitude. And that’s the best place to be.
May we live in forgiveness and gratitude, and grace and mercy, my friends.
Proverbs 24:17-18, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society’s CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
