Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“But you should not have gloated over your brother on the day of his misfortune; you should not have rejoiced over the people of Judah on the day of their ruin; you should not have boasted on the day of distress.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, December 19, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
As much as I like to joke about schadenfreude, it’s not cool to enjoy the misfortunes of others. No matter how much we think they deserve it.
The people of Judah are the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob. The people of Edom are the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, from whom Jacob stole his birthright and their father’s blessing. Edom had good reason to hate Judah. Why not celebrate when Judah was destroyed by invaders? Can you blame them? Well, God can. And God holds them accountable for their gloating.
Whether or not we think we have good reason to feel smugly satisfied when others get their come-uppance, it’s not cool. God calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. (Note that we’re not supposed to accept persecution, just pray for our persecutors.) Easier said that done, of course, but with God, all things are possible.
Who do I dislike or disagree with that I can pray for?
