Reflecting God’s Devotions for Holy Living – Friday, 14 February
2014 “Security: The False and The True” Scripture Obadiah 1: 1 The vision
of Obadiah. This is what the Lord[a] Yahweh[b] says about Edom. We have heard
news from Yahweh, and an ambassador is sent among the nations, saying, “Arise,
and let’s rise up against her in battle. 2 Behold,[c] I have made you small
among the nations. You are greatly despised. 3 The pride of your heart has
deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is
high, who says in his heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ 4 Though
you mount on high as the eagle, and though your nest is set among the stars, I
will bring you down from there,” says Yahweh. 5 “If thieves came to you, if
robbers by night—oh, what disaster awaits you—wouldn’t they only steal until
they had enough? If grape pickers came to you, wouldn’t they leave some
gleaning grapes? 6 How Esau will be ransacked! How his hidden treasures are
sought out! 7 All the men of your alliance have brought you on your way, even
to the border. The men who were at peace with you have deceived you, and
prevailed against you. Friends who eat your bread lay a snare under you. There
is no understanding in him.”
Footnotes:
a. Obadiah 1:1 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”
b. Obadiah 1:1 “Yahweh” is God’s proper Name, sometimes rendered
“LORD” (all caps) in other translations.
c. Obadiah 1:2 “Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look
at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
“Security: The False and The True” by Richard H. Neiderhiser
The ancient city of Petra (Sela) is one of the most visited
sites for Holy Land tourists. The name “Petra” means rock. It is believed to be
the place where Moses “brought water out of the rock.” About 1445 BC, when the
Hebrew children made their exodus from Egypt, Petra was occupied by the
Edomites. Because of the sandstone strata and the high cliffs, it was well
fortified. Dwellings, cut out of the sandstone, provided true security by any
standard. Pools and cisterns collected water from an elaborate viaduct system.
Challenge to Holy Living
The Edomites were proud of their well-designed fortress. But the
pride regarding their security was false as God appraised it (v. 3b). God spoke
an eloquent and poetic word through Obadiah: “Though you soar like the eagle
and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down” (v. 4).
False security is replaced by true security when God’s people are faithful to
Him and rely on His strength and protection alone.
Petra could have been a holy fortress had the Edomites turned to
God, and the rock (Petra) could have been secure in the gushing waters of God’s
grace and favor.
Hymn for Today:
“Rock of Ages” by Augustus M. Toplady
1. Rock of Ages, cleft
for me,
let me hide myself in
thee;
let the water and the
blood,
from thy wounded side
which flowed,
be of sin the double
cure;
save from wrath and
make me pure.
2. Not the labors of my
hands
can fulfill thy law's
commands;
could my zeal no
respite know,
could my tears forever
flow,
all for sin could not
atone;
thou must save, and
thou alone.
3. Nothing in my hand I
bring,
simply to the cross I
cling;
naked, come to thee
for dress;
helpless, look to thee
for grace;
foul, I to the
fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I
die.
4. While I draw this
fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall
close in death,
when I soar to worlds
unknown,
see thee on thy
judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft
for me,
let me hide myself in
thee.
Thought for Today:
“In Jesus The Christ on the Cross there is refuge; there is
safety; there is shelter; and all the power of sin upon our track cannot reach
us when we have taken shelter under the Cross that atones for our sins” (A. C.
Dixon)!
Prayer Needs:
Faculty and students as they prepare for full-time Christian
ministry in Switzerland!
-------
WordAction Publishing Company
2923 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64109
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment