RR Rejoicing with Others By David Harwood

Shavuah Tov,

In our Scriptures are examples of people rejoicing over God granting victories to others. From my perspective, such rejoicing is a key to receiving blessing. Here’s a wonderful example of anticipating joy over someone else’s victory. In this case, Judah’s king.

We will shout for joy in your victory and lift up our banners in the Name of our God! May Adonai fulfill all your petitions. (Psalm 20:6)

When we rejoice over what God is doing in somebody else's life, we are sowing seed for the same goodness to be revealed through our lives. When we are truly glad and sow gratitude because of someone else’s prosperity, we can have faith that we shall reap what we sowed.

For whatever a man sows, that he also shall reap. (Galatians 6:7b)

Recognizing God's hand in blessing someone, and being glad that God is blessing them, are two different things. We may be tempted to be jealous, or even envious, of those who are blessed. This ought not be the case. God is able to bless everyone within their spheres.

At the dedication of finances for the temple, David prayed:

... in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. (1 Chronicles 29:12b NASB)

One person being blessed does not take anything away from another. We're not participating in a zero-sum game. Consider the capacity and heart of the Creator. He is able to multiply opportunities, to multiply blessings, to multiply good things (victories) in such a way that He is unmistakably revealed as being the God who is good!

Here’s an example of people rejoicing over another’s victories:

So the women sang one to another, as they were dancing saying, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” (1 Samuel 18:7)

Are the nations called to rejoice over God sovereignly doing wonderful things for Israel? Yes, they are.

Praise Adonai, all you nations! Glorify Him, all you peoples. For great is His lovingkindness toward us...! (Psalm 117a; see also Psalm 126:2–3)

This is true within the framework of every relationship, and is especially relevant within the context of the believing community.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15; see also 1 Corinthians 12:26)

In the beginning of Abraham’s call, a blessing was conferred. Those who bless what God was doing in the life of Abraham would in turn be blessed.

My desire is to bless those who bless you (Genesis 12:3a)

Let’s take a lesson. This principle is valid — not just for blessing Abraham and his descendants — but for blessing those who are manifestly blessed by God.

Suppose we see somebody who, just at the right time, had everything fall into place in their finances. If we are looking with the eye of faith, we may see this as the result of God’s blessing. Now this might be something which is mundane, but the hand of God — the things of the Spirit — is often hidden in mundane details. Let’s recognize His hand and rejoice that it is manifest.

It can be difficult to rejoice in the good things God is doing in somebody's life when we so long for God to be doing good things in ours and it just doesn't seem as if He is. One way to break any hidden spiritual hindrances is to sow gladness for what it is that God is doing in others’ lives. This is true in relationships. This is true in business. This is true amongst the congregations of believers. This is true.

In fact, this is absolutely true: we will reap what we sow.

If we sow gratitude for what God is doing in somebody else's life, we are setting ourselves up for the same type of blessing to come upon our lives. On the other hand, if we gloat over another’s misfortune... what are we doing? Well, we're setting ourselves up for the same type of misfortune to come upon us. In fact, gloating is forbidden.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, or let your heart be glad when he stumbles. (Proverbs 24:17)

Let us be wise and learn to look for reasons to rejoice in the good things God is doing in someone else’s life. When we see it, bless the Lord who blesses. Let’s close this meditation with this exhortation:

Do not repay evil for evil or insult for insult, but give a blessing instead—it is for this reason you were called, so that you might inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun      15-Nov-2026             5th of Kislev, 5787
Ge 28:10-22               Jdg 17             Ps 38               Mt 27:32-66   (Ro 14)