“You should not have gloated over the misfortune of your relatives in Judah. You should not have been glad on the day of their ruin. You should not have laughed at them in their distress.” — Obadiah 1:12 (GNB)
In Bible times, the Edomites did something terrible that God strongly disapproved of, and it offers a powerful lesson for us today. They robbed and killed their own relatives, the descendants of Jacob. Not stopping there, they also gloated over the misfortune of their relatives in Judah. They rejoiced at their ruin, which prompted God to rebuke them. “You should not have laughed at them in their distress. You should not have entered the city of my people to gloat over their suffering and to seize their riches.” — Obadiah 1:12-13 (GNB) Because of these actions and many other wrongs committed against their relatives, God declared, “The day is near when I, the Lord, will judge all nations. Edom, what you have done will be done to you. You will get back what you have given.” — Obadiah 1:15 (GNB) Did you see that?
This account clearly shows that it is wrong to laugh at people when they are suffering or to rejoice during their difficulties. Even if they are our enemies, God does not want us to gloat over them. Why? Because you will eventually reap the harvest of the seeds you sow. Therefore, I encourage you to learn from this. No matter what happens, never gloat over anyone or laugh at them in their lowest moments. Instead, learn to sympathise with people and do it genuinely. The Bible says, “Don’t be glad when your enemies meet disaster, and don’t rejoice when they stumble. The Lord will know if you are gloating, and he will not like it; and then maybe he won’t punish them.” — Proverbs 24:17-18 (GNB) Did you see that? Make the choice to sympathise with people rather than laughing at them.
Today’s Rhema
If you don’t sympathise with people, you will get the same treatment from others, so be wise!
Prayer
Father, I am grateful for your love and for the knowledge you have brought to me today. I choose this day to sympathise with people and not laugh at them. As I do this, I enjoy the mercy of God, now and all the days of my life in Jesus’ name. Amen!
