Standing with God in a World of Darkness
Verse:1 Kings 18:3-4
"Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Now Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water."
In the midst of a corrupt and murderous regime under King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, Obadiah stands as a beacon of faithfulness and courage. Though he served as an official in Ahab’s court, his heart was devoted to God from his childhood. While Jezebel ruthlessly hunted down and killed the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah risked his life to secretly deliver and protect them. His actions reveal a profound truth: no servant of God can tolerate or support murder, whether openly or in secret. To stand idly by while evil prevails is to be complicit in its crimes.
Obadiah could have chosen silence, turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by Jezebel. He could have justified his inaction by fearing for his own life or by focusing on the flaws of the prophets he saved. Yet, he did not. Though he remained silent in the presence of Jezebel, he resolutely acted in secret to preserve the lives of God’s servants. He understood that to passively allow the murder of God’s people, especially those who served Him, was a sin of unimaginable magnitude. Obadiah knew that he would be held accountable to God for every life taken, and he refused to be a silent accomplice to such evil.
In our world today, there are many who, like Obadiah, find themselves in positions where speaking out against injustice could cost them dearly. Yet, there are also those who, out of fear or indifference, wash their hands of responsibility, claiming it is not their duty to act. They may hide behind excuses, pointing to the imperfections of those who suffer or the risks involved in standing up for what is right. But the truth remains: to passively support or silently tolerate such crimes is to share in the guilt of the perpetrators. Obadiah’s example challenges us to examine our own lives. Are we truly devoted to God, or are we hiding in the shadows, complicit in the sins of our time?
Obadiah’s faith was not merely a private matter; it compelled him to act, even in secret. He did not allow fear to paralyze him or the flaws of others to justify inaction. He understood that no one has the right to take a life, and that God sees every hidden deed, whether good or evil. Those who conceal or support such crimes will not escape God’s judgment. Obadiah’s life reminds us that true devotion to God requires courage and action, even when it is dangerous or inconvenient.
As God's children, we are called to stand against evil and to defend the vulnerable. To withdraw into silence or inaction in the face of injustice is to deny our calling as servants of God. Obadiah’s story is a powerful reminder that our faith must be lived out in deeds, not just words. We cannot claim to love God while tolerating the destruction of His people. Let us examine our hearts and ask ourselves: Are we truly born again? Are we hiding in fear, complicit in the sins of our world? Or are we, like Obadiah, willing to risk everything to stand with God and His people?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our weaknesses and failures. Forgive us for the times we have remained silent in the face of injustice, for the times we have allowed fear to paralyze us, and for the times we have justified our inaction. Give us the courage of Obadiah, that we may stand firm in our faith and act boldly to defend the vulnerable and uphold Your truth. Help us to remember that we are accountable to You for every life and every deed. May we never be complicit in evil, but always strive to reflect Your love and righteousness in this broken world. Strengthen us, Lord, and guide us in Your ways. Amen.