Christian Devotional – May 9, 2013

VERSE:

Ezekiel 25:6-7a–For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel, therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations.

TRUTH:

Two ideas can be seen in these verses. First, we are not to rejoice when others go through the judgment of God. The Ammonites were excited to see that Israel was being judged by God. God does not want us to be happy and rejoice in the downfall and destruction of others, no matter how evil their actions have been. Second, the people of Israel, even when they go through times of separation and disobedience to God, still hold a special and important place to God and He will judge those who rejoice at their suffering.

RESPONSE:

Father, I will mourn and seek to learn from the judgment You bring about others, not rejoice in their downfall. I will respect Your love for Israel and I will seek to be obedient to You in all things.