The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part II

The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part II
SCRIPTURE: "...LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT..." Psalm 118:24
Obadiah the prophet is drawn to bringing the word of the Lord across the border, where he shepherds and manages figs. He then enters a conflict with a message for the Edomites who’d savaged Israel, while Babylon was already crippling Israel. It is a short read, with a lot packed into it, and while I wouldn't summarize it as cheery, being God’s word, it is nonetheless blessed and a privilege to have. [Glad I'm not an Edomite, but we all start out as 'Edom-like', so...] In short, he brought a message of judgment, and Edom will be punished. It was a specific message for Edom, whose arrogance as a people disrupted their heart from having empathy toward their neighboring kin, Israel, the peoples descended from Jacob. Then comes a pivot, verse fifteen: "For the day of the Lord draws near on all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head." [Obadiah v.15]
The specific message for the Edomites [descendants of Esau] has now been enlarged to include all nations infected with arrogance and pride. Reading Obadiah in isolation one may leave it only with a sense of God's coming wrath. Herein we must appreciate the voice of God through Obadiah, with that of the other aligned prophets, where God's judgment is co-mingled with His compassion to be accepting of those who repent. God's judgment never proceeds without His heart to lovingly reach and save, with the call upon us being to offer freely our 'yes' to Him, to believe and behave. This is a message for all nations and all peoples, and it is at the heart of the Christmas message, extending from eternity's span to include our 'now' and 'yet to be': A faith which behaves is a faith which saves...and the bedrock of our believing is Jesus. Trust ye Him! His big move on our behalf awaits our agreement. America, listen up.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me appreciate beyond my distractedness each and every day the need to know You more, and with that to be available to weather this roller-coaster life of ours with the anchor of truth, having Jesus, and in Him, having peace. I pray that the gift of life in me will be sufficiently impressive to bring confession, and usher in blessing, that my yielding will bring uplift, in Jesus' name. I shall rejoice and be glad, in Him. Amen.
by Bro. McNeal Brockington
The specific message for the Edomites [descendants of Esau] has now been enlarged to include all nations infected with arrogance and pride. Reading Obadiah in isolation one may leave it only with a sense of God's coming wrath. Herein we must appreciate the voice of God through Obadiah, with that of the other aligned prophets, where God's judgment is co-mingled with His compassion to be accepting of those who repent. God's judgment never proceeds without His heart to lovingly reach and save, with the call upon us being to offer freely our 'yes' to Him, to believe and behave. This is a message for all nations and all peoples, and it is at the heart of the Christmas message, extending from eternity's span to include our 'now' and 'yet to be': A faith which behaves is a faith which saves...and the bedrock of our believing is Jesus. Trust ye Him! His big move on our behalf awaits our agreement. America, listen up.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me appreciate beyond my distractedness each and every day the need to know You more, and with that to be available to weather this roller-coaster life of ours with the anchor of truth, having Jesus, and in Him, having peace. I pray that the gift of life in me will be sufficiently impressive to bring confession, and usher in blessing, that my yielding will bring uplift, in Jesus' name. I shall rejoice and be glad, in Him. Amen.
by Bro. McNeal Brockington
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
2022
January
Dissing Double MindednessCome-to-Jesus MomentNew Year, Same God!Is God Real?O Me of Little FaithNot Another Password!Lamb of GodA Tale of Two SongsGod WinksJesus Working Through MeA Real Friend with BenefitsGod is Trying to Tell Us SomethingEven the Lord, RestedGod’s Word to the RescueLiberty and ConscienceHaving a Made-Up MindMarch Like a SoldierThe Reality of UnityLostMiracle on the Roman RoadA Reference Point, Not a ResidencePromised TranquilityListening/Obeying ChristOf ValueHeart FlowThe Implications of “Won’t He Do It”
February
March
STANDING IN VICTORYSelf WillWho are you?Wait a MinuteNOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 1)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 2)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 3)God Given IdentityHe Knows Our Heart!Witnessing FalselyBut God; the Believer’s SemicolonGod’s Fingerprint – The Living WordHeart OwnershipDeception Among BelieversAn Extraordinary ManEven IfHe Saw the Best in MeNot Quite, Almost, Nearly \"NOPE!\"Jesus’ Teaching About WorshipTHE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part I)THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part II)Fruits of the SpiritDifferent Time but Same AgendaI Am the GreatestTrusting the FatherListen, God is Speaking to You
April
What’s in A Name?I’m DelightedWhat a Friend We Have in JesusGod Promises a Life of New BeginningsChrist Formed in YouSlow to SpeakThe Eternal God is Our RefugeHis Marvelous Grace and Omniscience!Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!WHEN FAITHFULNESS BARES IT\'S THROAT!Things Change in His PresenceESCAPE THE WOE!Declare the Lord’s Immutability!WAS THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS, A DONE DEAL?Jesus Needing a Drink
4 Comments
Amen, Brother Brockington! “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Prov. 14;34
Oh to know Him through the testimonies of others, but the greatest blessing is to personally experience His Hand and His Heart!!!
Amen & Amen!!
Amen!