Untitled Sermon

1 Kings 18:1 HCSB

After a long time, the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year: “Go and present yourself to Ahab. I will send rain on the surface of the land.”

Elijah is told to go present himself to Ahab and then, only then, will God send rain on the surface of the land. Another act of faith and trust in Yahweh. Elijah knows Ahab is looking for him and will probably kill him on the spot. Why did God not set it to rain first and then Elijah go present himself to Ahab? Ahab would then not give credit to Elijah and Yahweh. Would take no faith for Elijah to then go to Ahab because God has already acted. We like God to do things that way, “God does first and then I will give Him credit.” God says, “You go first in faith and then I will give you credit”.

Obadiah, a man living in two worlds.

God-fearing high official in Ahab’s court.

Immediate representative of the king

Would bear the royal seal, certifying decisions he made on the kings behalf.

Had the respect of the king, being selected for such a task, and trust

Would be second in command in Ahab’s court.

Highly visible in Ahab’s court.

In all this, Obadiah maintained loyalty to the true faith.

Recognized Elijah right away

He did not want to tell Ahab he had found Elijah because may dissappear once again and anger Ahab further, costing Obadiah his own life.

Obadiah secures an oath from the prophet Elijah and goes to inform King Ahab of Elijah’s whereabouts.

What would be your advice to a good man in a bad place?

Get out? Resign in protest?

This is the actions a righteous person would take surely to confront evil.

The NT makes clear that at times disciples are to remain in imperfect environments in order to be salt and light for good.

This may be the reason God has not moved you out of the job you have now, or the position. Or has not given you a new neighbor. He needs you to be salt and light in an imperfect environment that needs to be redeemed.

[Illustration] - Canada Trust in Calgary, Sally Van Den Abel - I do not know why I was still there and lasted as long as I did...but I do know now it was for God’s reason. I would constantly talk to my bank mates about Jesus. The bottom line in the banking industry is profit; God’s bottom line is redeemed souls. These do not match.

Be salt and light where you are. You may be praying to be removed from the place or situation, but God may have a different plan and that is why He has not agreed with you.

That may be why you are still there..to redeem lost ground...take lost ground back. It is the reason God has not yet removed men and women of Christ from the earth yet...the job is not yet finished or complete.

Shockingly to some of us, Jesus prayed this, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” (Jn 17:15).

It may be, it is your job, to sweeten the sour by staying in the situation, place or relationship that God has you.

Obadiah was a good man in a bad place; a man in two-worlds.