Choosing the Extraordinary Life by Dr. Robert Jeffress

Author:Dr. Robert Jeffress
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Living;Christian life;Success—Religious aspects—Christianity;Self-esteem—Religious aspects—Christianity;REL012120;REL012000
ISBN: 9781493412310
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

Obadiah: Faithful but Fearful

Some people are truly committed to following God, but they want to keep their commitment solely between themselves and the Almighty. Why does anyone else need to know? They have deluded themselves into thinking that they can be more effective representatives for God in their school, workplace, or family if they operate as secret saints. That was the case with one of Elijah’s contemporaries, a man named Obadiah (not to be confused with the prophet of the same name who has his own book in the Old Testament).

As one of King Ahab’s servants, Obadiah was tasked with watching over the king’s household, which included Ahab’s palace, estates, and livestock (1 Kings 18:3). We might think of him like the chief usher of the White House. All housekeeping, cooking, serving, and groundskeeping staff answered to him.

When Elijah first encountered Obadiah, he was searching for water and food for Ahab’s livestock—not an easy task given the severe drought that had devastated the land. Baal—King Ahab’s deity of choice—was supposed to be the weather god, the one who should have brought rain to end the drought. Yet there had been no rain for over three years.

However, during this same period, Obadiah had secretly provided water, food, and protection for one hundred of God’s prophets—prophets that Queen Jezebel was trying to exterminate (v. 4). Obadiah’s name means “servant of Jehovah,” and he served God faithfully, but he did so fearfully—in secret.

Elijah had one simple request for Obadiah: “Go, say to your master, ‘Behold, Elijah is here’” (v. 8). But instead of running off and finding the king, who had been looking for Elijah for three and a half years, Obadiah shook in his sandals.

What have I done to deserve this? Ahab will kill me. As surely as your GOD lives, there isn’t a country or kingdom where my master hasn’t sent out search parties looking for you. . . . The minute I leave you the Spirit of GOD will whisk you away to who knows where. Then when I report to Ahab, you’ll have disappeared and Ahab will kill me. (1 Kings 18:9–12 Message)

Obadiah was afraid that if he reported to the king that he had found Elijah—public enemy number one—the prophet would disappear, and Obadiah would be left to endure the king’s wrath. But beyond that, Obadiah did not want to reveal to Ahab that he was a follower of God. Obadiah had found a comfortable compromise between his faith and his work. He lived a double life as a faithful follower of God (secretly) and a faithful servant of Ahab (publicly). Obadiah had not yet burned his ships and declared his commitment to God openly. And now that Elijah was forcing him to do so, Obadiah feared for his life.

Like Obadiah, it is easy to rationalize our compromises and try to remain a secret follower of God, often telling ourselves:

“If I challenge my teacher about his inaccurate portrayal of Christian beliefs, I might offend him and other students.”

“If

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