Obadiah And 2020
Are you frustrated with the American Church, Christian?
Given how fractious and impatient with one another we’ve been during this political season, that’s understandable. On Sunday, you might see the person whose opinionated Facebook posts have irritated you more than once.
Are you concerned for the American Church?
Given how much we’ve displayed desperation for the world’s security, looking to politicians for our rescue and America as our inheritance, that’s understandable.
Are you done with the American Church?
Don’t be. Why? Because God isn’t.
Despite all our failings, God hasn’t given up on us. Just consider the Book of Obadiah.
Here’s the context: Babylon invaded Israel in the 6th century B.C., ransacking them and and carrying off some Jewish people into exile (remember Daniel?). This was in God’s providence because of Judah’s wicked rebellion against him.
Edom was another nearby, small nation. However, instead of supporting or even pitying Israel in this grievous time, Edom gloated over Israel and even helped the invaders.
Did Israel deserve what they got? Yep. However, God hadn’t taken the side of their abusers. He wasn’t about to let Edom get off for their evil either. Edom now thought they were safe in their topographically elevated region. To them, their circumstances were looking pretty good. But Obadiah relayed the news God had for them:
“Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD” (v. 4).
God warned them not to revel in Israel’s misery or contribute to Israel’s abuse. Why? “For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head” (v. 15).
God had a different destiny in store for the ransacked people of Judah. His story wasn’t finished with them. He still had mercy and grace to display to the undeserving people of Israel:
“But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape and it shall be holy.”
Though his people were in a depressed state, the Lord would restore to them the full territory of the Promised Land. The book ends with a promise: “Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s” (v. 21). The Lord has a plan to save Israel and restore them to the land of promise where he will rule over them.
How easy it can be to look at the Church in America today with frustration. It’s not uncommon for professing Christians to be “done” with their church, or churches in general, in times like this. Of course, sometimes Christians should leave a church. But often Christians need to persevere with others and see their local church as God sees his people, as God saw Israel in the days of Obadiah: with grace.
Are we as Christians faulty? In many ways, yes. Are we frail? In many ways, yes.
But are we forsaken? No.
The same God who had a future in store for ransacked and exiled Israel has a future in store for the Church in America. He never forgets or forsakes those who are his. He has bought us with the blood of his own Son. Just consider that when you see a genuine Christian across the room whose political views get under your skin. God loves them. Beloved Christian, be in awe of the God written of in the book of Obadiah, remember his grace toward you, and remember his grace toward your brothers and sisters in Christ you’ll see on Sunday.
He’s not done with us.