Can Christians Rejoice in the Calamity of Others?

Christians do not rejoice in calamity but depend on God to move and deliver. On the streets of Iran on May 20, 2024, many were rejoicing in the death of Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi. Now, throughout the Middle East, many are rejoicing in the death of Hassan Nasrallah (Sept. 28, 2024). Christians faced hardships in both locations and will sense a tinge of emotion on this news.

News of Calamity

The news trickled about Iran when I was at my Iranian church, and one nominal Christian seemingly was happy about this turn of events. Maybe he was expecting a change in the coming days or felt fortunate that such a man possibly had passed away.

Yet, as believers, we do not celebrate the death of others, for celebrating the demise of another life is contrary to the values of what it means to love a living God who sovereign-ly chooses, if need be, the end of life. We love our enemies and seek to pray for those who persecute us. Even if an unjust, wicked situation continues we remain resolute in trusting in our God to work and move. He knows the evil being done and will bring them to account someday. We know he can redeem the worst of situations.

Trusting and Rejoicing in Calamity?

We trust in God’s sovereign control of the nations since he says in Isaiah 40:23-24 that God,

who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

²⁴ Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
    scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
    and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

Isaiah 40:23-24 ESV

God is able to rise and overthrow rulers in his time. Even if they remain and do not do the right things, we can still trust God to lead and deliver in his time.

How Random is God?

Recently, my wife and I watched a Jewish movie and the characters asked some deep questions about God and why he does certain things. The response was God is random. My wife and I felt that was an excuse since God is not random but in control.

God is not passive as a deity or as an observer. He can bear with resistance, difficulty, and disappointment without it limiting his character. Our Lord does not randomly roll the dice or play a game of chance with our lives. Instead, he uses challenges, even wicked rulers, to rise up. In an unbeknownst way, he has a greater plan. He does not work by way of some political power play; he is in the business of changing hearts. We find no joy in calamity but knowing that God is actively working behind the scenes. 

History Shows God’s Sovereignty

I think back to the revival that took place in Ukraine during the time that Hitler controlled the country. Despite the immoral leanings of the Nazi government, a sovereign God allowed a spiritual movement to take place in Ukraine.^[1]this account can be found in Nathaniel Davis’ book: A Long Walk to Church.  See my write-up on goodreads.  I cannot explain God, nor do I think can anyone else, however, he is not asleep and we are not aware of his full spiritual program he is allowing to take place to move history forward.

We as humans are not comfortable with a person allowing pain or suffering when they can do something about it. Yet, we have a God who cannot be restrained by evil or evil rulers.

Trust and Calamity

How much are you willing to trust him today? In the calamity we see today, how should we pray? We do not rejoice in the death of anyone, but we trust in God to act and do his will.

I think of Psalms 76:10-11 which says,

“when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. Selah

¹⁰ Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;
    the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt. (ESV)

His ways are higher than ours, and in some mysterious way, the wrath of men will praise God. We lean on God’s supremacy and know he will do what he wants. Even in the worst of situations, sometimes, God can adjust and bring out greater purposes beyond politics. He works in a spiritual realm and in a spiritual way. 

I cannot explain it, but I know it is true. I trust in him and do not fault God for his greatness in allowing wickedness for a time so he will rule sovereignly… eventually. So, let’s not rejoice in calamity but in that God is aware and will act.

To understand the major differences between Christianity and Islam, please check out my book, Searching Below the Surface.