And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah? And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me? As the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not. And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here. (1 Kings 18:7-11)
God was doing a marvelous work to remind the people that He is the LORD and that He alone is God. He sent Elijah to confront Ahab and along the way he met Obadiah, a faithful and obedient servant of the LORD. Elijah gave him the message that he would come to meet Ahab. Obadiah was sure that he would disappear again and being somewhat afraid of the king’s wrath should Elijah not be found, at first does not want to be the bearer of the news. Elijah assures him that this was the time and he would meet Ahab with the message which the LORD had given him.
It often seems that we are alone or that no one understands the struggle we are going through. Though the people of God come together and meet, there are times that we feel like Obadiah, doing the work of God in the midst of the enemy and no one notices. But, God knows all and knows our weaknesses. He knows what we are doing for the kingdom, and not letting pride or a need for our own glory get in the way, we are to continue abounding in the work of the LORD, humbly and prayerfully, and He will exalt us in due time, just as He did with Obadiah and Elijah. He prepares the called and equips us to do His work in His time and for His glory. The ministry, missions, and discipleship of the church is there for us to grow in Christ and for us to reach the lost with the Gospel, teach the nations all things whatsoever He has commanded, and to preach His Word in all places and at all times until He is done with us. Our LORD has called us to Himself through repentance and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary and sent us, as Elijah, to carry the message of God to whosoever will receive Him and be born again unto eternal life. May we be obedient as Obadiah and as bold as Elijah in doing the work of our Creator, Redeemer, and King even in the face of those who oppose our God.
Until that day, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet