1 Kings 18

Obadiah cracked me up today. Elijah had told him to go to King Ahab and tell the king that Elijah was in town. Now, Obadiah knew Ahab was determined to kill God’s prophets. He knew Elijah had just made the prophets of Baal look ridiculous. Elijah’s presence wouldn’t be welcomed by Ahab.

Then Obadiah began to ramble, thinking of the worse case scenario.

“If I do this, what if God decides to transport you away? I tell Ahab you are here, he comes to kill you and you’re gone. He’s going to be furious. He’ll look at me and think I lied. Then he’ll kill me instead. I’ve loved you, Elijah. I love God. I saved 100 prophets Ahab wanted dead. Now you ask me to go and tell him you are here. He’ll kill me.”

I laugh because I can imagine Obadiah’s panic and I relate. Many times my first reaction is to think of all the things that could go wrong. But here’s the difference:

Obadiah went to Ahab with Elijah’s message. Obadiah obeyed.

I have been known on more than one occasion to lie in bed at night and go over every worse case scenario concerning something God is asking me to do. I can see the failure in front of my eyes, rehearse the lines, and know for sure the sorry outcome in my mind. Then in the morning, I can go on my merry way, ignoring God’s call.

Obadiah obeyed. His fears didn’t come true. And that’s the lesson I believe God would have me learn today.