You were not just born for a time such as this but also called for a time such as this. It’s no coincidence that you are alive during this exciting time in human history. You have a specific purpose and skill set. Your life experiences have trained you for the days to come. I believe that God will orchestrate opportunities where your faith will be tested and strengthened. You will be strong and courageous with His help. I believe that followers of Yeshua are being prepared and placed in crucial positions in society for a time such as this.
Obadiah’s name means “servant of Yahweh.” Read about him in 1 Kings 18:2-4 “The famine was severe in Samaria and king Ahab had summoned Obadiah who oversaw his palace. Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken 100 prophets and hidden them in two caves, 50 in each and had supplied them with food and water.” I find it very interesting that all this detail is included in the Bible.
You’ll need a little bit of imagination for this next portion. A king’s palace is a busy place, full of intrigue. There are many eyes and ears, conspiracies, distrust, gossip and power struggles. Add a weak king like Ahab and an evil queen like Jezebel to the mix and you have all the ingredients for a suspense novel or blockbuster movie. Imagine how Obadiah packed food for the prophets, then sneaked out of the palace and miraculously sustained these prophets. It was the 3rd year of a harsh famine, so he must have frequently supplied those 100 men’s needs. How did he manage to do that and not get caught? It could not have been easy. He must have had nerves of steel.
Obadiah was very courageous. Speaking of “living in the lion’s den.” Can you imagine the constant pressure Obadiah must have experienced? He is Ahab’s right-hand man and he is secretly hiding prophets right under the nose of Jezebel. Incredible. How did he get away with it?
Obadiah served the Lord since his youth and because he was deeply committed to God, his faith was rock solid. I believe God gave him the plans to help hide the prophets and therefore he was divinely protected. Despite the hostile regime, Obadiah helped the 100 men. King Ahab trusted him completely, never suspecting anything. This is truly a remarkable and fascinating portion in the Bible.
In Judges 6 we learn about the Midianites oppressing Israel. It was so bad that people had to hide in caves and build shelters in rock clefts to hide from them. Gideon is hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat when the Angel of the Lord says to Gideon: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. Go in the strength you have and save Israel.” Gideon tries to explain that he is the least in his family from the smallest Abiezrite clan in Manasseh. How can God ask him to save Israel? Not in a million years did Gideon think of himself as a “mighty warrior”! God doesn’t make mistakes. God knows Gideon’s destiny and calls him a mighty warrior.
Judges 4 and 5 explains the account of Deborah the prophetess, Barak and the wicked Sisera. Sisera was the tyrant commander of the Canaanite king. He cruelly oppressed Israel. Jael (wife of Heber the Kenite) bravely stands outside her tent when Sisera flees the Israelite armies. She welcomes the evil Sisera in. Imagine that! When Sisera asked for water, Jael gave him milk and a warm blanket instead. She told him not to be afraid. What a clever strategy. The milk, the covering and her hospitality gave Sisera a false sense of security, exactly what Jael hoped for. In his deep sleep, Jael eliminated him and thus Israel was delivered from a fearsome enemy. I believe God gave Yael the idea to use a household tool like a tent peg. God can use anyone to bring deliverance for his people.
Jael is a biblical heroine and Judges 5:24 says she is “most blessed among women.”
You may think to yourself that you don’t have the fortitude of Obadiah or Yael. You’re more like Gideon; you feel inferior and cannot see how God could possibly work through you.
This is the point. God sees us through His eyes and not from our earthly perspective. When we are weak, He can be strong through us. He doesn’t need a human to accomplish His will, but he does so that all honour, glory and credit is His.
The days we are living in are challenging. News reports are unsettling. Prophecy warns us that the days ahead will be difficult. There are many ways to deal with this:
- You can be in denial, burying your head in the sand and pretending all the unpleasantness will just vanish.
- You can run to and fro, being overwhelmed by all the different interpretations of end time events and in the process become anxious and fearful.
- You can have a balanced approach. You are at peace, acknowledging that Abba Father will guide you, one step at a time. You need only to trust Him, because of His covenantal faithfulness.
I propose Option C. You may say, but I don’t know how. I’d like to submit a few keys that I believe could be beneficial for the times ahead.
- An unwavering Faith! Without faith you cannot please God. Faith is foundational. We will be called to act with courage and faith. 1 Cor. 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” Isaiah 7:9 “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
- Obey. As you obey, you’ll understand. Be willing to obey in the small things, the rest will follow.
- Truth. Read and study the Bible. It is a relationship with Father, not religion.
- God is Holy! Respect God with awe and a Reverential Fear. Resist all other fears, because fear will paralyse you. 25:12 “who is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him”.
- The wise prepare. Prepare in body, soul and spirit. Don’t be idle, be prudent. Take care of your physical body and prepare mentally to be emotionally resilient. When the Holy Spirit prompts you to do something, do it. You might also think but I don’t have resources. Did God not multiply oil, bread and fish? God is not limited. He is creative and He moves in the realm of the miraculous. He gave Joseph a strategy, he can help you. 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
- Stay connected to the body of Christ.
You might be called like an Obadiah, a Gideon, a Yael, a Joseph, or a Rahab. When you face adversity at great personal risk, remember, God is with you. He is your deliverer and your source of strength!
Isaiah 7:4 “Be careful, keep calm, don’t be afraid and do not loose heart.” “I am the Lord, your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13.
Followers of Yeshua, may you be encouraged for such a time as this.
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