DON’T GLOAT

• DAY 179
• FAITH FILE: DAVID
• SCRIPTURES: 2 SAMUEL 1:11-16

Therefore David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. Then David said to the young man who told him, “Where are you from?” And he answered, “I am the son of an alien, an Amalekite.” So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died. So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’s anointed.’ ”

If I hear that the person who made my life a living challenge was killed in battle or died by any other means, I will tell you now, mourning will not be what I will do. I may not dance on their grave or throw a party but I will feel relief and I will definitely thank God for their death. But apparently, that is not how God expects me to respond as a person of faith especially when the “enemy” is God’s elect. That’s what makes this case different. (And I want to what God wants).

David never saw Saul as an enemy but as one whom God anointed. He considered Saul his king and respected the fact that God anointed and elected him till the day he died. The fact that Saul was a power-hungry, jealous, and proud man, who chased him out of his country, killed prophets, and wasted national resources hunting him down was not enough to change David’s attitude towards him. That’s how you know a man of faith. And quite frankly, that’s how you earn the title of “man after God’s heart.”

Don’t Rejoice

Generally, God doesn’t want us gloating over those who are our outright enemies, He said in Proverbs 24:17-22

Do not rejoice and gloat when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad [in self-righteousness] when he stumbles, Or the LORD will see your gloating and be displeased, And turn His anger away from your enemy.

We ought to be careful whom we categorize as an enemy. If they are believers, they carry the anointing of Christ in the person of the Holy Spirit. Their anointing is valid, and their election is valid as far as you are concerned, more so if they are in a position of authority. Their behavior is God’s business, respect the anointing. It will amaze you that God will defend them because you disregarded His anointing upon their life. And I am not making a case for leaders who abuse their position and become a thorn to those they are to lead. Neither am I giving an excuse to those who disregard the ways of God and inflict pain on others. I am telling you that you will be asked of your own actions not that of others, so be wise and do right.

Mourn

Beloved, you wrestle not against flesh and blood. Your enemy is the devil, not your boss, colleague, pastor, or president. It should hurt your heart to see that those who carried God’s grace fell so far that they became tools in the hand of the enemy. You should mourn that your neighbour may never make it to see Jesus in heaven because they lived their lives in rebellion to God till they died. That’s why you mourn. 

Heaven lost a soul, so mourn. A child of God lost their place in eternity so mourn. God wants us all to be saved and back with Him in eternity and He sent His son to achieve this, so it doesn’t please him when He loses a child. Don’t rejoice when those who wanted your harm dies, mourn!

You’re gonna need God’s grace to do this, so ask Him right now. Pray to Him in Jesus’ name.

Shalom