Proverbs 24:17

"Rejoice not when thine enemy faileth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth."
Proverbs 24:17


I think this is tough, because after all, by definition, we're talking about the "enemy." :) Perhaps part of the point here is that the ideal is not to have enemies, and when we do have them, we need to try to concentrate on wishing the best for them... praying for them, and hoping their lives get better, rather than wishing that a big rock would fall on them. :) ... I think that God's way works out just as well as the rock in the end, because, either way, our enemies are gone... but God's way, they are still around and not in the hospital... we've just learned not to think of them as enemies any longer. It's hard to change our hearts and perspectives that much, once someone is already an enemy... but I think it is also necessary. How can the spirit dwell in the same place as hatred, or in rejoicing in someone else's misfortune? I think our society and our movies teach us that people "deserve" it, but those kinds of judgments are up to God. We still have a choice, no matter what has happened or what has been done. We can choose to clear our hearts of hatred. Might take time, and a lot of prayer... but the point it that we hurt *ourselves* with hatred... not anyone else. Doesn't mean we have to agree with our former enemies or welcome them into our lives... but if we can not hate them or wish bad things for them, we've taken a mighty step. So, whoever our enemies are, near or far, weak or powerful... today, let's wish them the best, pray to God for them, and never rejoice when they stumble.