The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi from a Roman prison around A.D. 61-63 and told them, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV). This passage is the theme of the Book of Philippians, one of the four prison epistles of Paul, aside from Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. Christians are to rejoice always despite life challenges. King Solomon said that there is “a time to laugh” and “to rejoice, and to do good” (Ecclesiastes 3:4b, 12). However, there are occasions when it is not appropriate to rejoice, yes, to be glad. This is the thrust of this piece.
It is inappropriate to rejoice at calamities, as the following passages note. Mull over what you read, and act fast on them. “…He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 17:5b). “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles” (Proverbs 24:17). Christians are to rejoice always, however, this rejoice is a limited rejoice in that it does not cover rejoicing over enemies, haters, persecutors and calamities.
Christians, as children of blessings, must not wish evil to their foes, but rather they must abide by what Christ said in Matthew 5:44-48, which reads, “…Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven… Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
In prayer, bless, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” (Romans 12:14). May we in our prayers bless and give thanks to God always (Ephesians 5:20). Let us to not rejoice at calamity.
