God Watches How We Respond to Other People’s Pain
Ezekiel 25:3–7 — Never Celebrate Someone Else’s Downfall
One thing immediately stood out to me in Ezekiel 25: God took seriously how the surrounding nations responded to Judah’s suffering.
The Ammonites cheered when God’s Temple was defiled and mocked Israel in its devastation. God told them that because they had rejoiced over His people’s suffering, judgment was coming upon them too.
Later, He gave a similar warning because they had “clapped and danced and cheered with glee” over Israel’s destruction.
This is sobering.
It reminds me that God doesn’t only examine what we do to people. He also examines what happens in our hearts when things happen to them.
Someone who hurt us may experience a difficult season. A competitor’s business may struggle. Someone who seemed ahead of us may suddenly lose an opportunity. A relationship we secretly envied may encounter problems.
What happens in our hearts then?
There is a difference between acknowledging God’s justice and delighting in someone’s pain.
As believers, another person’s downfall should never become our entertainment. Even when someone has wronged us, we can leave justice with God without developing a heart that celebrates destruction.
The lesson for me is simple: May God keep my heart tender—even toward people whose stories have not been kind to me.
God Is Sovereign Over Nations, Systems and Outcomes
Ezekiel 26:7–8 — When God Speaks in Detail
What fascinated me about God’s judgment against Tyre was its specificity.
God didn’t simply say Tyre would fall. He described what would happen:
Nebuchadnezzar would come from the north. There would be horses, chariots and an army. The mainland settlements would be attacked. Siege works would be constructed.
Reading this reminded me again of the sovereignty of God.
God sees details we cannot see.
This matters especially in seasons of waiting, rebuilding and building something new. Sometimes I want to understand exactly how everything will happen—how the business will grow, how purpose will unfold, how provision will come, how certain prayers will be answered, or how the next chapter will fit together.
But Ezekiel reminds me that God can already see details that haven’t entered my field of vision.
If He could speak concerning kings, armies and nations before events unfolded, surely He can be trusted with the details of my life.
I don’t have to know every step when I know the One who sees the entire journey.
When Success Quietly Becomes an Idol
Ezekiel 27:3–4 — “My Beauty Is Perfect!”
Tyre was extraordinary.
It was strategically positioned, commercially powerful and internationally connected. Ezekiel 27 describes its ships, builders, sailors, merchants, craftsmen and trading relationships. By every visible measure, Tyre was thriving.
Then comes the dangerous statement:
“My beauty is perfect!”
Tyre had begun admiring what it had built.
This particularly challenged me as someone building businesses, projects and communities.
There is nothing wrong with excellence. There is nothing wrong with growth, influence, profitability, beautiful work or becoming known for what we do.
The danger begins when what God helped us build convinces us that we no longer need God.
Success can quietly change our vocabulary from:
“Look what God has done.”
to:
“Look what I have built.”
That transition can happen so subtly that we don’t notice it.
This applies beyond business too. We can become proud of our marriage, ministry, career, leadership, knowledge, network, appearance, financial progress or even spiritual maturity.
Whatever God allows me to build, I want to remain conscious that the Builder is greater than the building.
Everything We Build on Earth Is Temporary
Ezekiel 27:27, 32, 36 — When an Empire Sinks
By the end of Ezekiel 27, the picture has completely changed.
The riches, merchandise, sailors, craftsmen, merchants and warriors that represented Tyre’s greatness were disappearing.
People who once traded with Tyre stood at a distance mourning its destruction.
That contrast is striking.
A city that once seemed indispensable became the subject of a funeral song.
It made me think about legacy.
We spend so much of our lives building things—companies, platforms, careers, homes, communities, investments and reputations. Building is not wrong. In many cases, God actually calls us to build.
But Ezekiel 27 asks an uncomfortable question:
What am I building that will still matter when everything temporary is stripped away?
Revenue matters, but it cannot be the ultimate measure.
Visibility matters, but it cannot become identity.
Growth matters, but growth without obedience is dangerous.
Influence matters, but influence that doesn’t glorify God eventually becomes empty.
I want to build things that serve people, honour God and outlive applause.
Practical Takeaways from Ezekiel 25–27
- Never rejoice over another person’s suffering. Ask God to keep your heart compassionate, even when the person has hurt you.
- Leave judgment with God. We don’t need to engineer someone’s downfall to prove that we were right.
- Trust God with details you cannot see yet. His sovereignty extends far beyond what is currently visible.
- Enjoy success without worshipping it. Celebrate growth while remembering where your help came from.
- Regularly examine your heart as you grow. Ask yourself, Has anything God gave me started taking God’s place in my heart?
- Build for more than applause. Businesses, ministries, marriages, careers and platforms should ultimately become instruments through which God is glorified and people are served.
Conclusion: May We Never Become Too Impressed With What We Have Built
Ezekiel 25–27 reminded me that God sees both suffering and success.
He saw the nations rejoicing over Israel’s pain.
He saw Tyre flourishing.
He saw the pride underneath its beauty.
And He already knew how the story would end.
That makes me want to hold everything God gives me with open hands.
May we never become so successful that we forget the God who sustained us when there was nothing to boast about.
May we never become so hurt that another person’s suffering gives us pleasure.
May we never become so impressed with what we have built that we stop depending on the One who enabled us to build it.
And when God allows us to prosper, may our response always remain:
“Look what the Lord has done.”
Prayer
Father, thank You for reminding me that You are sovereign over people, nations, opportunities and outcomes. Please keep my heart tender. Never allow me to rejoice in another person’s pain, even when they have hurt me.
As You help me build, grow and step into greater responsibility, protect my heart from pride. May success never become an idol, and may I never become more impressed with what I have built than with the God who made it possible.
Teach me to trust You with the details I cannot yet see. Help me build my life, marriage, business, community and purpose on You. May everything You place in my hands ultimately bring You glory and serve the people You have called me to serve.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Candid Christian 
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