Text: Ezekiel 25:1-17
“For thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel….” (verse 6, ESV). God is a jealous God who reserves judgement for Himself;
He will not allow any other person to do this. In this chapter, four of Israel’s enemies are being judged, simply because they are happy that Israel is suffering under God’s wrath. Now, Yahweh is indeed judging His people in a righteous way, but that does not give permission for our enemies to rejoice over it.
We might be properly judged for our sin, but no one is allowed to be happy about it. Paul commands us, “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). He is requiring us to be sensitive to the suffering and spiritual grief of others, that is, to feel alongside them, and to encourage them in spiritual growth. The spiritual journey that your friend goes through may be a long one; he/she will need your help a long the way.
If you laugh or don’t take it seriously, how are they to know that you are a true friend and one who loves them in both good and bad days? Please always take the spiritual lives of those around you seriously. Be sensitive to their emotional and spiritual needs, and feed them with the word of God and prayer. Pray today that you would become a more sensitive and helpful disciple of Christ!
Meditate on verse 6. What is God teaching you in this verse? How are you going to respond to it?
Heavenly Father, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, that You enable me not to rejoice when my enemies suffer or fall; but, instead, give me an opportunity to minister to them, according to Your will. Amen.