March 3, 2026 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Proverbs
Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Have you ever said, whether out loud or in your heart? “I’m glad, they got what they deserved.” Or have you ever thought or said? “Good, they need to suffer” or “I’m glad that happened to them.”
Are you ever upset when God blesses those whom you don’t care for? Do you secretly hope they fail?
Have you ever thought these things toward other people?
The Lord God, who watches everything and knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, has given us an admonition about such things.
When one is glad at calamities or rejoices when their enemies fall, it is wrong. The better response is revealed in the book of Matthew.
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
It all comes down to your relationship with your “Maker”. Are you right with God the one who formed you in the womb and intrinsically knows you?
I am reminded of the reaction of Jesus when He was being mocked, ridiculed, beaten and nailed to the cross.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Instead, Jesus prayed for those who caused his suffering.
Luke 23:33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus did exactly what He said to do in Matthew 5:43-48; He is our example.
Would you follow the Lord’s example?
There is another side to this Proverb. Proverbs 17:5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
When you are glad at the calamities of others, the Lord says you will not be unpunished. If you are having troubles in your life, maybe it is because you secretly rejoice and are glad when others suffer.
The key is having a good relationship with God, look at things through the lens of scripture and through God’s perfect will. It all starts with Jesus. Are you born again?
The choice is till yours,
Pastor Cook
