Introduction
Have you ever been in a terrible situation where you just have no idea how God can still be in control? Have you experienced persecution, abuse, poverty, or sickness that makes you question God’s goodness and sovereignty?
Obadiah was written to people who could not understand how God could allow people who were his sworn enemies (Edom) to prosper when his own people (Judah/Israel) were experiencing pain and hardship.
The Lord is sovereign
The first thing to remember in all times of trouble is that God is sovereign. The Lord is in control of our lives; he rules over history and creation.
Edom might appear to be a strong nation but they are no match for God. He rules over them; he is also in control of what happens to them.
No person, no matter how big or strong he is, is more powerful than God. You might think that God owes you something and that you are an impressive person, but God is more powerful than you or anyone else. The Lord alone is sovereign.
Do not be proud like Edom, thinking you can stand up against God and ignore him. Though it appears as if those people who ignore God and persecute his people prosper (Psalm 73:1–28), it is foolish to think you can fight against the Lord God and/or his people and win.
The Lord judges and rescues
The Lord can and will intervene in history to judge his enemies.
The Lord destroyed the people of Edom for their actions against his people.
All those who are opposed to the Lord will be judged and destroyed by him on Judgment Day. It might look like those who hate God are getting away with it, but there will be a day of judgment.
Judah also deserved God’s judgment because Judah was no better than Edom. Judah was also sinful and proud.
God, in his mercy, has sent deliverance from Zion. Jesus Christ came to deliver God’s sinful people (Judah) from the judgment they deserve. God does this because he is merciful and gracious and not because Judah is better than Edom. Judah deserved the same wrath that came upon Edom, yet God promised to save Judah. This is not because there was anything good in them; it was only because he is faithful to the promises he has made to them, his people.
God has intervened in history to rescue his people from the penalty of sin. If we believe in Jesus Christ, our sins have been forgiven and we do not need to fear God’s judgment.
God has rescued us not because we are better than other people, but because in his grace he has loved us.
The final judgment of God’s enemies and deliverance of God’s people will take place when Jesus Christ returns.
When Jesus Christ returns in glory, he will gather all his people from all nations and tribes and languages of the earth into his new heaven and new earth.
Trust God in the midst of your pain and suffering
In the midst of your circumstances, remember that God is in control.
In the midst of your pain and suffering, remember that God is not judging you for your sin but disciplining you. He is working in you to conform you into the image of his Son (Romans 8:29).
God the Holy Spirit will help you to keep trusting God even if you cannot understand how or why God has allowed certain things to happen to you.
God the Holy Spirit is also working in us so that we can be instruments in his kingdom (Obadiah 1:21). He wants us to be salt and light in the world. He is helping us to tell people that it is foolish to rebel against the Lord who is sovereign and that there is salvation from Zion.
Conclusion
May God the Holy Spirit help us to look beyond our circumstances and to know that God our Father loves us and is in control of our world so that we would trust him today knowing that there is a day coming when Jesus Christ will return to make all things new, destroy all of God’s enemies, and take us with him into glory.
1 The vision of Obadiah.