SEPTEMBER 26 - Don’t Cheer Too Soon
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 24:17–18; Numbers 25–27
3-Year Bible Devotional Book Available on Amazon
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“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.” — Proverbs 24:17–18
“While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab... And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them in the sun before the Lord...’” — Numbers 25:1, 4
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation...’” — Numbers 27:15–16
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Sometimes it feels good when someone who wronged us gets what’s coming to them. Maybe the bully at school gets in trouble, or a friend who betrayed you ends up embarrassed. But Proverbs 24:17–18 reminds us that gloating over someone else’s fall can actually pull us further from God’s heart.
In Numbers 25–27, we see God’s anger burn against sin, but we also see His mercy, His justice, and the need for godly leadership. These passages all point to one key truth: our reactions, especially to others' mistakes, matter deeply to God.
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THINK ABOUT IT
1. Don’t Celebrate the Fall: When someone messes up or faces consequences, it’s not an excuse for us to feel superior. God calls us to humility and compassion—even for people we don’t like.
2. Sin is Serious: The events in Numbers 25 show how quickly turning from God can lead to disaster. God doesn't take sin lightly, and neither should we. But rather than pointing fingers, we should focus on keeping our own hearts pure.
3. Who’s Leading Your Heart? In Numbers 27, Moses asks God to appoint a new leader. Good leadership matters, but so does allowing God to lead your heart. Are you letting Him direct how you respond to others?
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BOTTOM LINE
Don’t cheer when others stumble. God is more interested in your humility than your sense of justice. Let His mercy guide your response to the failures of others.
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PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to have a heart that reflects Your grace. Teach me not to gloat when others fall, but to respond with humility, compassion, and love. Keep my heart clean, my thoughts kind, and my actions led by You. I want to follow You, even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
