PROVERBS 24:17-18: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: All eyes in the US and the world are focused on the 2024 Presidential election in the US. The news cycle is filled with 24/7 coverage of “Democracy 2024.” On Thursday, June 27 the first presidential debate between the two major candidates was held.

I was among those who watched with prayerful interest as this debate took place.

I am a conservative and always try to align my vote with the candidate and party platform that aligns the closest to my Biblical values. When you vote as a Christian it is important to remember that you are not voting for the leader of your church or denomination. Such a position and its responsibilities in the church would require a completely different set of criteria.

When we vote for a political party and candidate we bring our Christian values into the public forum. We represent Jesus Christ as we exercise our civic duty to vote. If we are to pray for our leaders, pay taxes, and be good citizens (Romans 13), we must also be responsible and vote to let our voices be heard.

Our prayers must precede our voting but it must not negate our voting.

Fast forward to last night’s debate. Both candidates standing on the stage are flawed men. Each one has been surrounded by controversy and scandal. Regardless of where you stand politically as a Christian, I must admit that neither candidate is the optimum choice that I would make. Yet, as a Bible-believing conservative Christian, I have chosen to support Donald Trump. I believe he and the Republican Party will govern the closest to my Biblical and conservative values.

As I began watching the debate I was hoping that it would be civil and that both candidates would stick to the issues and lay out how they would help America rebuild from four years of a broken border, inflation, rising crime in the streets, and a host of other issues that are the outcome of these broken policies.

I was not prepared for what took place!

My father battled Alzheimer’s and my mother suffered from dementia that was brought on by several mini strokes. I was a caregiver for both of them so I know the look of someone who is battling these mind-killing diseases. For quite a while I sensed what so many have sensed, that Joe Biden is suffering from one of these diseases. What I suspected was made evident on the world stage in this debate as we witnessed broken speech patterns and blank stares that are a common sign of these diseases.

My chosen candidate won the debate. However, I left this experience greatly saddened. I disagree with Biden’s policies and feel that much of the agenda of his party is in direct opposition to my Biblical values. Yet, I know that he is a person for whom Christ died. He is a husband, a father, a neighbor, and a friend to many. He may be an enemy from a political standpoint but he deserves compassion as a human being who has been propped up beyond his capabilities.

Some may say that he is just getting what he deserves for all he has done over the years. This may be true. Part of this may be God’s intervention and judgment. However, as I thought about this the Holy Spirit brought this Scripture to my heart.

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.”

Last night Joe Biden fell, he fell hard. He fell epically and embarrassingly. It was painful to watch. It was sad. I found no joy in watching a shell of a man stumble over his sentences and a lifetime of work disintegrate right before my eyes. I went to bed grieving. I would have been glad to see a good debate of ideas where my candidate won. Instead, I witnessed what may be Biden’s last stand.

I am saddened as I write these thoughts. I don’t want to be guilty of rejoicing when someone I disagree with falls. My response should be to go to my knees and pray for them. Jesus said that we are to pray for our enemies (physical and political). We are to be witnesses of the heart of the Father. To extend love and grace to those who are my enemies is the greatest expression of the love of Christ working in our lives.

What will happen to Joe Biden? Only time will tell. I sense that his party will try to replace him. Regardless, as he probably will step into the shadows of history under a cloud, I pray for his salvation. I pray that he will meet Jesus Christ in a personal way. I pray that he will not be destroyed. How else could I pray?

Lord, I pray for our country. I pray for our leaders. I pray for Donald Trump and I pray for Joe Biden. May you establish righteousness in our land and guard our hearts from rejoicing when those we disagree with fail. Move us to compassion. Teach us to love.

In Jesus’ Name!