"As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve…" I Kings 18:15
In The Right Place At The Right Time
Obadiah was "in charge" of the palace, and he was a "devout believer" (18:3)
Think about other people in the OT who were in strategic positions at the right time: Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Nehemiah, Esther. What appears secular can have divine purpose!
How was it possible for Obadiah to serve in this position? How could he serve this wicked king and still be a devout believer? How could he maintain Ahab’s trust, and keep from being suspect?
Consider too that Obadiah was busy protecting God’s prophets (18:4) That took courage, and commitment!
Sir Thomas More, and Dietrich Bonhoffer
What motivated Obadiah?
He was a man of God
He was a man of wisdom
Anything but that!
An unexpected reunion (18:4-7)
Elijah’s directive was not expected (18:8)
The tension that Obadiah must have lived with for these years came out (18:9)
Reassured by Elijah, Obadiah went to Ahab (18:16)
4 Principles
#1) God wants to use Christians who are in key positions in a secular and pagan society to accomplish His purpose in the world
We are to be "salt and light" (Matt. 5:13-14)
Pray for those in authority so the gospel can be spread (I Tim. 2:2-5)
#2)
God can only use Christians effectively in this world who are truly devoted to Him
Win non-Christians’ respect, don’t try to please them (I Peter 2:11-12)
It is not a friendly world (Matt. 10:16)
#3)
God uses Christians in a special way who reflect wisdom in their relationships with non-Christians
Don’t respond out of fear (II Tim. 2:23-26)
Avoid misdirected commitment (I Peter 2:13)
#4)
God delights in using our predicaments to achieve His purposes
