Hello everyone~ I hope you're all having a good weekend!As I was thinking about what to share this week for Spiritual Sundays, I came across this excellent devotional which I think we could all benefit from.
GLOATING AT THE ENEMY
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament.Yet hidden away in its brief record is a vital question that affects us all. How should we respond when we see an enemy experience misfortune?
The prophet Obadiah ministered during the time that the city of Jerusalem was under fierce attack by the armies of Babylon. The neighbors of Jerusalem, the Edomites, were actually cheering on the enemy armies to destroy and kill {Psalm 137:7-9}. Ironically, these hurtful jeers were spoken by blood relatives of the Jews. They were descendants of Jacob, and the Edomites were descendants of Esau.
Obadiah condemned the Edomites for gloating: "You should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction" {Obad. 1:12}.
If someone has repeatedly been hurtful to us, it is easy to give in to vindictive pleasure when they experience misfortune. But Scripture admonishes us, "Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles" {Proverbs 24:17}. Instead, we are to maintain an attitude of compassion and forgiveness and trust God to bring justice in His time.
- Dennis Fisher
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This particular message struck a chord in my heart because of a situation I find myself in with a relative. Years of slander by this person still does not give me the right to rejoice when this person suffers in any way. My relationship with God gives me a reason to love and yes, forgive even when I find myself being wronged over and over again. This is what the difference is between 'walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh.'
Please join Charlotte and Ginger for more Spiritual Sundays inspirationals, songs, and testimonies. Click the link http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ or the Spiritual Sundays button on my sidebar. Praying you all have a blessed weekend!
See you on Tuesday for Tea Time Tuesday!
Sharing from my heart~ Sandi
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Hi Sandi!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. And so are your verses on not taking pleasure in another's misfortune.
Compassion is Jesus' way.....
Thank-you for this post.
I am new to SS's ---stop by!
love, kelee
A great reminder!
ReplyDeleteyikes...this hit home for me too. Sarah
ReplyDeleteIt is not easy to be compassionate to those who are mean to us or hurt us. Even something as simple as I dealt with yesterday... a rude co-worker. When I see her next time, I know Jesus wants me to be kind and not vindictive. But a part of me just wants to snap back at her!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post Sandi and soo true. It is most difficult to be compassionate towards those who have hurt us in some way. It just goes against our very basic natures. There is a person in my life who this sooo fits. And yet, I have found that when I pray for him (which is difficult I will admit) I do feel more of God's heart for him. Thanks for this. Have a wonderful week-end. HUGS
ReplyDeleteSandi,
ReplyDeleteYou have said it all so perfectly, and I really can't add more. I am just praying that God will give me the spirit that is willing to forgive and not gloat when enemies come to harm. Have a blessed weekend, dear friend. Vicki
You are so right, Sandi. The human thing to do is to rejoice, but it isn't right. Thank you for posting this reminder. We probably all need it from time to time.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Such a timeless reminder and one that particularly strikes a chord with me right now. It is so easy to let bitterness take root and develop a calous heart for someones elses misfortune. I'm glad I stopped by. Blessings, Patty
ReplyDeleteWith my old nature, I would have been rejoicing every time. But as we are being renewed, by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, we know any better! Thank you for the reminder! I always try to remind myself, God is good to everyone...Not just me. Even with my enemies.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week sister Sandi and God bless you.
Such a good word, dear Sandi! This confirms the same message I read yesterday in Proverbs.
ReplyDeleteThis is so perfect for something going on right now. Thank you so much for sharing...Grace xoxo
ReplyDeleteSandi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wisdom. My unforgiveness only hurts me.
You have a wonderful blog, thank you for stopping by mine.
ReplyDeleteLove all your tea cups and saucers.
Ginger
Hi Sandi,
ReplyDeleteI just became a follower. This post was very inspirational! Thank you!. I posted your Tuesday Tea Logo on my blog.
I missed out on church today,thanks to you and my daughter I have heard a bit of the Word.
ReplyDeleteI have missed reading your posts,with so much wisdom as sited in today's post,thank you....I had to stop blogging for a while,I am feeling better now, and I am back to my blog.I am going back to catch up a bit...Tracy
Sandi darling this is an eloquently written post and so true, thanks for sharing luv. Wishing you a lovely week my friend. I will be here at exactly half past four on Tuesday for tea.
ReplyDeleteLove & Hugs
Duchess
So true. I've been guilty of wishing harm on enemies, and the minute they suffer, I'm flowing with pity and compassion. I've been a wanna-be vindictive person, but never had the heart to do it. I tend to think I'm weak, but I'm probably strong. Thanks for the post. It makes me think.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessed Monday to start reading your blog...We all need those reminder... following your nice blog
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fionnalovelle.blogspot.com