Hanging in there in an ungodly world

Obadiah, (not to be confused with the prophet Obadiah), was in a tough place.

He was in charge of King Ahab’s palace, and obviously well-trusted by Ahab himself. 

But Ahab was an ungodly man who had led the entire nation into idol worship. 

Obadiah, meanwhile, loved the Lord with all his heart.  And yet, unlike many that feared the Lord, he stayed in Israel, rather than going to Judah.

Why?  I don’t know, really. 

But one thing you cannot do is malign his character. 

At a time when Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, was killing off the prophet’s of the Lord, Obadiah risked his own life to hide 100 prophets and to provide them food and water.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations that are less than ideal. 

Perhaps we’re surrounded by people who are unbelievers. 

Maybe you became a Christian and your parents, or husband, or wife are not.  Maybe you’re in a workplace surrounded by unbelievers.

And it’s easy to think, “I’d rather get out of this situation.  I want to surround myself with more Christians.  This is too hard.”

To be sure, Christian fellowship is vital, especially when you’re surrounded by unbelievers most of the week. 

But don’t be so quick to run from your situation.  As God used Obadiah to do his will, God can use you to make a difference.

Remember that when God says to separate ourselves from the world, he  doesn’t mean to disassociate ourselves from those who are unbelievers. 

Rather, we are to separate ourselves from their way of thinking, and to conform ourselves to God’s way of thinking.  And in so doing, we are to touch others’ lives and make a difference.

Remember the prayer Jesus prayed for his disciples.  He prays the same for us today.

I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.  (John 17:14-19)