Read: Obadiah 1:10-15
But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune. (v. 12)
When I was a young boy, my family used to secretly watch Greek channels on television with the volume down, even though it was banned by the communist government in Albania. We were afraid of being heard and ratted out to the police by our neighbors, or even our extended family. They were blinded by their proud allegiance to communism.
In today’s verses, we see God punishing Edom for not helping, not protecting, and not weeping for his brother in the day of his brother’s calamity. Violence, indifference, narcissism, plunder, fratricide—all spring out of the sin of envy and jealousy. God promises that Edom will experience the judgement of God in the end (v. 15).
What about us? How do we respond when a brother faces calamity? Jesus taught his disciples that we should respond with love and care (Luke 10:25-37). And what about when someone turns away from us? Again, Jesus taught us to forgive our enemies, and pray for them (Matt. 5:43-45). The message of hope is that we can go to Christ and he is willing to forgive us if we turn back and repent. The apostle Paul tells us that nothing can ever separate us from Christ’s love, not calamity, nor death (Rom. 8:35-39).
As you pray, give thanks to God for Christ’s love. Ask him to forgive you when you have turned away from people who need your help and protection.
About the Author
Pastor Sotir Anagnosti
Pastor Sotir Anagnosti serves as the pastor of the Evangelical Church of Saranda, in the southernmost city of Saranda, Albania. He graduated from the Greek Biblical College in Athens and then returned to his hometown where he has served as a pastor for 25 years. Among other ministries, Pastor Sotir has a special heart and calling for the Albanian immigrants around the world, whom he also serves with a radio program broadcasted on Radio 7, Words of Hope’s Albanian broadcast partner. He is married to Valbona and they have a wonderful daughter.
These devotionals were first published in Fjalet e Shpreses, Words of Hope’s Albanian devotional. Learn more about Words of Hope Albania, and our work in training and equipping local Christian leaders to write and share the Word of God.
