Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Monday after the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: 1 Kings 18:1-9 (NKJV)

1 And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria. 3 And Ahab had called Obadiah, who was in charge of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly. 4 For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab had said to Obadiah, “Go into the land to all the springs of water and to all the brooks; perhaps we may find grass to keep the horses and mules alive, so that we will not have to kill any livestock. 6 So they divided the land between them to explore it; Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself. 7 Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met him; and he recognized him, and fell on his face, and said, “Is that you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your master, ‘Elijah is here.'” 9 So he said, “How have I sinned, that you are delivering your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me?”

Devotion

Yesterday we heard a comparison between two men concerning humbleness: a publican and a tax collector. Today we hear about one like the publican: Obadiah, the king’s servant, “who feared the Lord greatly.” The other, like the tax collector: King Ahab, who honored himself. In comparison, one honors God with his life while seeking mercy, the other honors his life while opposing God’s mercy. Mercy was sought when Elijah sent Obadiah to announce his arrival before King Ahab, who searched diligently and was unable to find Elijah. Obadiah feared for his life as he was to announce that he succeeded where the King and his men failed.

In these last days, we have nothing to fear when God’s Messenger, Jesus Christ, sends us as simple servants with the message that Jesus Christ has been found where others have failed to locate Him. Christ is in the Word of God and Sacraments: Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

This announcement is not popular, as it opposes those who seek after other gods, honoring themselves while opposing God’s mercy. Dear friends, fear not. The same mercy that Obadiah sought is found in these words, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 Jn. 5:12).

We pray: Hallelujah! Let praises ring! To God the Father let us bring our songs of adoration. To Him through everlasting days be worship, honor, power, and praise, Whose hand sustains creation. Singing, ringing: Holy, holy, God is holy; spread the story of our God, the Lord of Glory. Amen. (TLH 23:1)

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