Day 302
Ezekiel 36:5
"Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Surely in the fire of My jealousy have I spoken against the residue of the heathen, and against ldumea, which have appointed My land into their possession with joy of all their heart, with despiteful minds, to cast it out for a prey."
God spoke to Israel through the prophet Ezekiel concerning their future and the future of their enemies. Because they backslid, the heathen were allowed to attack them and make their land desolate. However, when the heathen boasted and took joy in the demise of the people of God, it angered God. He declared that the heathen would be severely punished, and Israel would be restored for His name's sake.
Even when the Lord has to allow our enemies to triumph over us when we refuse to cooperate with Him, He does not want anyone to underestimate Him in the process. When anyone begins to think winning against God's people is indicative that God is unable to do anything about it, they are asking for trouble. Whenever unbelievers or rebellious believers begin to gloat over harming God's people and rejoice over the hurt and losses incurred by Christians, they are setting themselves up for trouble. They are underestimating God's love for His people and His self-respect. He will not be mocked. He will not have His name blasphemed without punishing the guilty ones who are unrepentant.
We should never become despondent and assume God will make no response when we see His people being mocked. He is long-suffering, not because He will not defend Himself, but because He allows time for the offenders to repent. We must be careful not to participate in making fun of or persecuting the people of God, even when they do wrong. Every man stands and falls before his own master. We must mind our business and be careful ourselves, lest we fall. Let us consider how God feels about His family before we respond to what happens with other believers.
I know God will deal with anyone who comes against His people. I will respect God and His feelings, when it comes to how I treat other Christians. I will pray for my brothers and sisters who experience trouble, even when it is due to their own wrongdoing.