God Speaks
God Brings Judgment on Those Who Mistreat His People
Verse of the Day: “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. . . .” [Quotes in the original.] (Obadiah 1:15 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding Obadiah 1, Psalms 82-83:
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
Obadiah 1
1. God will completely destroy anyone who wars against Him, His ways and His people; they will be left with nothing.
2. The pride in people’s hearts deceives them into thinking that no one (not even God) can take them down.
Psalms 82
1. God presides over all the nations; He renders judgment among the so-called “gods” and ideologies.
2. Apart from the LORD God, people know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of their world are shaken.
Psalms 83
1. God, whose name is the LORD, He alone is the Most High over all the earth.
2. With one mind people who oppose God plot together; they form alliances against those the LORD God cherishes.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding Obadiah 1, Psalms 82-83?
Dear Sovereign LORD, You are the only one who knows all the facts and motives; therefore, You alone have the right and responsibility to administer judgment. You bring about true justice in Your time and in Your way; however, I humbly ask You to put in place human judges, law makers and administrators who follow You and Your plans and purposes. Please cause people (whether they know You or not) to take courage and action and speak up for those who are truly being harmed, especially those who cannot speak for themselves and those You have chosen and/or who are called by Your name. We count on You to enable us to defeat Your enemies and replace them for Your glory. You are our King, O LORD. You preside over all the nations; You render judgment among the so-called “gods” and ideologies. Apart from You, LORD God, we people know nothing, we understand nothing. Those who don’t know You walk about in darkness; all the foundations of our world are shaken. God, whose name is the LORD, You alone are the Most High over all the earth. With one mind people who oppose You, Your people and Your ways plot together; they form alliances against those You cherish. Holy Spirit, please enable Your people to use the powerful spiritual weapons of the truth, righteousness, the Gospel of peace, faith in God, salvation in Christ Jesus, the word of God and prayer in the Spirit and the grace and love of God to combat and defeat them, whoever and wherever they are. These are the weapons You had Paul write about in Ephesians 6:13-24. When we use them properly, we will bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Obadiah 1, Psalms 82-83?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will examine my own heart and attitudes. Am I proudly thinking that God cannot get to me? Am I resisting Him in any way or thinking that I am self-sufficient?
- I will confess my mistreatment of someone specific, first to God and then to the offended party. I will apologize and request forgiveness from both (in public if appropriate).
- I will stand up and speak out for the survivors and the persecuted by signing up with an organization that deals with such things.
- I will search out other scripture passages that deal with these or similar issues and apply them in my life.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.