ESOCS Devotional 4 August 2025 – It’s Only A Process; Don’t Rejoice
MEMORY VERSE: “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy, when I fall I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” Micah 7:8
TEXT: MICAH 7:8–20
Do not rejoice over me, my enemy;
When I fall, I will arise;
When I sit in darkness,
The Lord will be a light to me.
9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord,
Because I have sinned against Him,
Until He pleads my case
And executes justice for me.
He will bring me forth to the light;
I will see His righteousness.
10 Then she who is my enemy will see,
And shame will cover her who said to me,
“Where is the Lord your God?”
My eyes will see her;
Now she will be trampled down
Like mud in the streets.
11 In the day when your walls are to be built,
In that day the decree shall go far and wide.
12 In that day they shall come to you
From Assyria and the fortified cities,
From the fortress to the River,
From sea to sea,
And mountain to mountain.
13 Yet the land shall be desolate
Because of those who dwell in it,
And for the fruit of their deeds.
14 Shepherd Your people with Your staff,
The flock of Your heritage,
Who dwell solitarily in a woodland,
In the midst of Carmel;
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
As in days of old.
15 “As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt,
I will show them wonders.”
16 The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might;
They shall put their hand over their mouth;
Their ears shall be deaf.
17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent;
They shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth.
They shall be afraid of the Lord our God,
And shall fear because of You.
18 Who is a God like You,
Pardoning iniquity
And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in mercy.
19 He will again have compassion on us,
And will subdue our iniquities.
You will cast all our sins
Into the depths of the sea.
20 You will give truth to Jacob
And mercy to Abraham,
Which You have sworn to our fathers
From days of old.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
We live in a world where people take delight in celebrating the fall of someone. In fact, some practically pray and tirelessly work towards the downfall of others, so that they can have another topic for discussion or another party to throw. But what they seem to forget is that the fall of a man is not the end of that man.
Oh yes! That someone fell down either by omission or commission does not mean that the chapter of such a fellow is closed. Let it be known today that such a fall is only a process, a rise is imminent. There is a guaranteed to bounce back. Surely God is committed to the restoration of his people. Therefore, there is no need to rejoice at such a fall. We may say that it may be one of the most stupid things to do because when the person bounces back, it is possible you will be blacklisted for life.
Our text speaks of the assurance of restoration by the mercy and faithfulness of God after a drastic fall. This therefore cautions against engaging in any form of mockery or laughter of the fallen because all hopes are not lost. We must refrain from such wicked attitude of rejoicing over the fall of anyone, irrespective of what they have done. It is possible that you are only claiming a saint today because your case file is yet to be opened. “When the breeze blows, what is at the back side of the fowl will be unveiled.” Let us all be careful.
Instead of rejoicing against them, we encouraged that we pray for them. Be a source of encouragement to them. Speak kind words to them and where possible facilitate their comeback if it is in your power to do it. The joy is greater when everyone is up and doing fine. Yes! The celebration is better when we are all joyful. The realization of any sad fellow while others are rejoicing dampens the joy and changes the atmosphere.
To any one that has fallen in any of life, academically, financially, marital, ministerial, health wise or in our relationship with God and spirituality, we encourage you that it is not over yet. Pick up yourself again, and take the bold step to bounce back. Surely, God is faithful and committed to see you through.
CHALLENGES
- Never rejoice at the fall of anyone, no matter the circumstances that led to their fall.
- Pray for God’s mercy and divine intervention.
- Be determined to rise and seek help from trusted persons to guide you through the process of rising again.
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, thank you for always being our light; help everyone that is fallen to rise again and grant us the grace never to rejoice at their fall, in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Nahum 1:1-End; Mark 10:35-52; 11:1-1
ESOCS Devotional 4 August 2025
