God's Will Toward Men

Based on Obadiah, Revelation 9

"But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress." Obadiah 1:12

I am really enjoying finding a Christmas theme in our readings throughout December. Today, I was reminded to have good will toward others. The people of Edom (Esau) were reminded that they rejoiced when their brother, Judah & Jacob's people, were in distress. While I'm sure we see certain people and are reminded of the times we've been wronged, let's try to look at people a little more in the light of God's love!

"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:" Revelation 9:20

Sometimes, those very same people who we see negatively could actually help us see what we can change in ourselves. How many "hints" have we been sent by God to make some changes in our lives, but we only focus on the frustrating things we want others to change? No matter how many beams we have protruding from ourselves, or how many "plagues" are sent our way, we are blind to them! We usually only see the motes in others, and we don't always "hope for the best" for them...

"Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye." Luke 6:42

This Christ-Time season, let's make it a goal to have a Christ-Time year! One filled with showing the love of God to others, and ourselves, even when it's not deserved...God's love will bring the change we need! And not just good will toward men...but God's Will toward men!