DEVOTIONAL

THE REFUGE

As Christians, we are called to be soldiers of the cross…men and women of Holy valor. We are called to stand in the midst of opposition, wielding the sword of truth with unwavering faith, seeking only to bring glory to Christ. Even in times when it seems as if the word of God has been lost and an entire culture is in a descent into immorality, we are called to stand as children of God, holding forth the word of truth, being lights for all to see. This is a high calling upon those whom the Lord has subject to himself and bought with His precious blood. Rest assured beloved Christian, our faith will at some point be tested as though through fire. It will cost you everything, possibly relationships within your family, your job, your reputation, or maybe even your own life. When this time comes, and you are asked to compromise your position concerning the absolute truths of the Bible, how will you respond? Is God’s word to you like a precious jewel, a ruby of great cost, a treasure to be sought after, or do you just consider it common, just a book to be set up on some shelf?

Obadiah was put in a similar situation. He was a man created in the image of God just like you and me. He was born in a time of great controversy, a time when the exclusivity of God’s word was being challenged. It was a time when the followers of the Lord were being asked to be silent and to compromise their position concerning the authority of Gods truth. During this time, Elijah… a prophet of The Lord, was called forth from God to oppose the evil king, and to call for a drought to come upon the land. The drought lasted three and a half years and it was so bad that the animals were beginning to die and all of the waterways were just about dried completely up. Also during this time, Jezebel, King Ahab’s evil wife and a worshiper of Baal, started having the prophets of The Lord killed. Obadiah was put in a position that one wrong move would cost him is life. He had a choice, he could either compromise his faith and watch all of the prophets of The Lord be destroyed or he could risk his own life to save his many of these godly men as he could.

Obadiah did not compromise his faith…as a matter of fact, with trembling legs he seized the moment. His holy zeal was kindled with passion for the God whom he loved and he laid his life down for this cause. He stepped out in faith and hid one hundred of the Lords profits in caves. Then he provided them with bread and water in one of the most trying times in the history of the nation. Obadiah’s faith proved to be genuine by the merciful acts of risking his own life to save God’s people. What will you do when it is time for you to make such a bold stand for the Lord? It may be better to ask, are you preparing yourself now for the moment when the Lord calls you to lay down your life for His glory?

“Ahab called Obadiah who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly)” 1 Kings 18:3-4 NASBS