God Protects His People (July 18)
Obadiah is given the unenviable
task of confronting two members of
a feuding family. The Jews in Judah
(descendants of Jacob) and the
Edomites (descendants of Esau)
were blood brothers but with little
visible love between them. When
the enemies of Judah attacked
Jerusalem, the Edomites rushed
in to help the enemy! As a result,
God sends Obadiah to predict
doom for the nation for refusing
to be its “brother keeper.”
Dear Lord God Almighty, we praise and Thank You for being in control,
that You are always on our side
and You will Protect Your People.
Help us Lord Not to Be Proud,
help us to Help Others in need;
and Protect us from harm. Amen.
Lord, help us Not to Be Proud:
The Lord says to Edom: I will
cut you down to size among the
nations; u will be greatly despised.
You have been deceived by your
own pride because you live in
a rock fortress and make your
home high in the mountains. Who
can ever reach us way up here?
you ask boastfully. But even as
if you soar as high as eagles and
build your nest among the stars,
I will bring you crashing down,
says the Lord… (Obadiah 2-4).
Lord, we realise Your Word warns
that pride leads to destruction.
And placing one’s security in
anything other than God is foolish.
Only God is strong & trustworthy.
Only He can supply true security.
Help us O Lord not to rely on self
but instead recognise vulnerability
and find security in You God. Amen
Lord, we will Help Those In Need:
Because of the violence you did
to your close relatives in Israel.
Now u will be destroyed completely
and filled with shame forever.
For you deserted your relatives
in Israel during their time of
greatest need. You stood aloof,
refusing to lift a finger to help
when foreign invaders carried
off their wealth and cast lots
to divide Jerusalem. You acted
as though you were one of
Israel’s enemies (Obadiah 10-11).
Lord, Your Word in James 4:17
says that if one withheld help from
someone in time of need, this is sin.
So sin includes not only what we
do but also what we refuse to do.
Help us Lord not to ignore or
refuse help to those in need. Amen
Lord, You Protect Your People:
The day is near when I the Lord
will judge the godless nations!
As you have done to Israel, so it
will be done to you. All your evil
deeds will fall back in your heads.
Just as you swallowed up my
people, so you & the surrounding
nations will swallow the punishment
I pour out on you…But Jerusalem
will become a refuge for those
who escape…And the people of
Israel will come back to reclaim
their inheritance (Obadiah 15-20)
Lord, You will judge and fiercely
punish all who harm His people.
We can be confident in Your
final victory. You’re our champion
and we can trust In You for help
and justice. Help us not despair
nor give up hope for You are
In Control & the confidence
placed in You will not be in vain.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.