Caring for Others

I am afraid that some people think the way to promote themselves is through the misfortune of others. They think that they will look better when others look worse, so they are continually putting others down and being critical of others. In reality, that way of living doesn't help them at all. In fact, it brings them down in the sight of others and in the sight of God.

The book of Obadiah is a prophecy against the country of Edom. The Edomites were relatives of the Jews but not a part of God's people, so they were jealous of them. When Judah fell to the Babylonians, the Edomites rejoiced over their downfall. God was not pleased. (Obadiah 1:12)  He told them not to gloat over their brother's day of misfortune or rejoice over the day of destruction for Judah; don't even boast of the day of their distress. God punished Edom for doing this.

God is never pleased with us when we are happy because something bad happens to another person. They may have done something hurtful to us, and then something bad happens to them. We are tempted to say to ourselves, "Good, he or she is getting what they deserve." We might think we are better off because they have been cut down to size.

God doesn't think that way, and He doesn't want us to either. God loves everyone, and He wants all of us to thrive. Yes, He has to punish us for doing wrong, but He does it with a loving heart that wants us to learn from our sins and do His will. We were taught by Jesus to love our enemies and pray for them. Let's never be glad when bad things happen to others, no matter what they have done to us.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Jonah 1-4.