Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-9 (NKJV)
1 And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah,
in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain
on the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a
severe famine in Samaria. 3 And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of
his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly. 4 For so it was, while Jezebel
massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets
and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.) 5 And
Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go into the land to all the springs of water and to
all the brooks; perhaps we may find grass to keep the horses and mules alive,
so that we will not have to kill any livestock. 6 So they divided the land
between them to explore it; Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went
another way by himself. 7 Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met
him; and he recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is that you, my
lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your master, ‘Elijah is
here.’” 9 So he said, “How have I sinned, that you are delivering your servant
into the hand of Ahab, to kill me?”
Devotion
Yesterday we heard a comparison between two men concerning humbleness: a
publican and a tax collector. Today we hear about one like the publican:
Obadiah, the king’s servant, “who feared the Lord greatly.” The other, like the
tax collector: King Ahab, who honored himself. In comparison, one honors God
with his life while seeking mercy, the other honors his life while opposing
God’s mercy. Mercy was sought when Elijah sent Obadiah to announce his arrival
before King Ahab, who searched diligently and was unable to find Elijah.
Obadiah feared for his life as he was to announce that he succeeded where the
King and his men failed.
In these last days, we have nothing to fear when God’s Messenger, Jesus Christ,
sends us as simple servants with the message that Jesus Christ has been found
where others have failed to locate Him. Christ is in the Word of God and
Sacraments: Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
This announcement is not popular, as it opposes those who seek after other
gods, honoring themselves while opposing God’s mercy. Dear friends, fear not.
The same mercy that Obadiah sought is found in these words, “He who has the Son
has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 Jn. 5:12).
We pray: Hallelujah! Let praises ring! To God the Father let us bring our songs
of adoration. To Him through everlasting days be worship, honor, power, and
praise, Whose hand sustains creation. Singing, ringing: Holy, holy, God is
holy; spread the story of our God, the Lord of Glory. Amen. (TLH 23:1)
Posted by The Reverend Jeffrey A. Ahonen on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran
Diocese of North America, publisher of the Lutheran Herald.
_______________________________________________
Sermons mailing list
[email protected]
http://cat41.org/mailman/listinfo/sermons
