Our Daily Bread Devotional 21 October 2022 || Friday ODB Daily Devotional Reading
Our Daily Bread Devotional 21 October 2022 || Friday ODB
TOPIC: Choosing Compassion
READ: Obadiah 1:8-15| BIBLE IN A YEAR: Isaiah 62–64, 1 Timothy 1
KEY VERSE: You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble. Obadiah 12 (NIV)
Our Daily Bread Devotional 21 October 2022 MESSAGE
A five-minute montage of snow-related mishaps was the central piece to one episode of a TV show. Home videos of people skiing off rooftops, crashing into objects while tubing, and slipping on ice brought laughter and applause from the studio audience and people watching at home. The laughter seemed to be loudest when it appeared that the people who wiped out deserved it because of their own foolish behavior.
Funny home videos aren’t a bad thing, but they can reveal something about ourselves: we can be prone to laugh at or take advantage of the hardships of others. One such story is recorded in Obadiah about two rival nations, Israel and Edom. When God saw fit to punish Israel for their sin, Edom rejoiced. They took advantage of the Israelites, looted their cities, thwarted their escape, and supported their enemies (Obadiah 1:13–14). A word of warning came through the prophet Obadiah to Edom: “You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune,” for “the day of the Lord is near for all nations” (vv. 12, 15).
When we see the challenges or suffering of others, even if it seems they’ve brought it upon themselves, we must choose compassion over pride. We’re not in a position to judge others. Only God can do that. The kingdom of this world belongs to Him (v. 21)—He alone holds the power of justice and mercy.
REFLECT: How do you react to the hardships others face? What does a loving, merciful response look like?
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Merciful God, forgive me for my feelings of self-righteousness. Thank You for Your justice and mercy.
- Our Daily Bread Devotional 20 October 2022 || Thursday
- Our Daily Bread Devotional 19 October 2022 || Wednesday
- Our Daily Bread Devotional 18 October 2022 || Tuesday