Psalm 73:17, 21 When I went into the sanctuary of God, then I understood their end…Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
When we get into the Word of God and come into His Presence we understand the end result for unbelievers. We understand the character of God, His holiness and love, His judgment and mercy. And instead of rejoicing in God’s eternal judgment of our ungodly enemies, we are grieved at heart and pierced in our mind, for these are human beings, who have rejected God and spurned His love. Our appropriate response to the judgment of unbelievers is sadness, not glee.
We are glad and rejoice in our forgiveness, life, and eternal salvation, but saddened about the end for unbelievers. Our love for all people prompts us to pray for them and share the gospel, so that some might be saved, through faith. Our grieving over the final judgment of unbelievers moves us to make disciples of all nations. Grief is caused by love for the lost and condemned. But “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.”