17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
18 lest the Yahweh see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. - Proverbs 24:17-18
The man and woman of God sometime acquire enemies. Invariably those people are unfair and misjudging us when we are otherwise committed to do God’s will.
That doesn’t mean we are perfect but their disposition toward us is disproportionately mean and hostile.
They are against us, but they do not realise or do not take it seriously that by being against a man of God then they are opposing God as well.
We persevere in love, genuine well wishing for them and also we pray for them but they instead of humbling are getting worse.
That is the moment when we know how God timely intervenes because He hears the voice of His servants who pray with pure and meek heart.
The enemy falls down and is humbled if not even humiliated. A sad picture.
The sinful nature in us though (this element which we inherited from Adam and is inclined to sin), so this nature may be tempted not to appreciate the sadness of the situation but be happy and glad at the plight of our opponent instead.
The moment the enemy is down though he is not enemy per se anymore but someone who needs consideration.
We may not be able to help them or if we are we should (but with care lest they take advantage of it; when God is leading us it is always overally good for us) because our heart should not be happy because they suffer.
We should look at them with kind of regret that they were stubborn enough to doggedly pursue unjust cause against us and not extend grace, mercy and benevolence which we now, guided by our loving God, is making us do.
His love is such that He is not happy when the wicked have to take the harvest of their sawing and we should be like our Father too.
Justice has been done and for this we are thankful but we wish from the heart that this person had changed so they would not have to endure the bad consequences.
The enemy might have fallen but he might be meant to stand up and stoop in repentance before God.
Someone may ask “Why? Why not the enemy being totally gone?”.
Ask yourself if this enemy is your son or daughter and they behaved badly toward someone, would you not like them to be extended some grace?
Would you not grieve in your heart if they don’t listen ?
God brings many sons and daughters through fire to glory and remember: He won’t give up easily on no one.
We should be like our this just, good and loving Father in heaven.