Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.    – Romans 12:15

You would think that it would be easy to rejoice with someone who was blessed by a favorable circumstance or had attained something great. But what if it came at your expense? What if you thought you should have had that promotion or that special gift? Rather than rejoicing with them, perhaps you felt envious or resentful.

The apostle Paul encourages you, as a believer, to give yourself totally to God, allowing Him to transform you into one who can “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). The character change includes a selflessness that understands that God works for the good of His people and for His glory. The selfish indifference to the joys of others goes away. Instead, their joy becomes your own. 

The same is true of others’ sorrows and grief. The follower of Christ should have genuine compassion for the calamities of others and their situations, expressing sympathy and comfort in word and deed. The best example of compassion is Jesus Christ. Why did He come to Earth as a servant and become obedient unto death? Because He had compassion for those suffering under the consequences of sin. He endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him which included that He would bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10). 

As you pray today, ready your heart to “rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” Pastor John MacArthur would add that Jeremiah grieved for sinful Israel (Jeremiah 9:1-3), and Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Grieve also for those in this nation who should weep but do not.