A LIFE OF TRUST

1Kings 18:1-16 

Friday, 10 October 2025

…. Obadiah, who was a devoted follower of the Lord…..      – 1 Kings 18:3-4 [TLB]

The main story in 1 Kings 18 is of Elijah’s confrontation with the king and the nation that had turned away from the Lord into idolatry. But here is the story of a faithful servant of God in the midst of all the chaos in the land. He was the steward of the palace of King Ahab- a position of prominence yet we see this man who first gave his allegiance to the Almighty!

Obadiah’s reverence and devotion to the Lord helped him define how he conducted himself in the turbulent times he was surrounded in. He was not carried away with the masses who were led into the worship of Baal in the land. He stood strong in his faith to the Living God! Let’s see some of his traits:

• Faithful steward

Obadiah held one of the highest positions in the palace. It demanded diligence and faithful stewardship. We see in the text how the king took him along to search for water sources and entrusting him with a task to handle by himself. A child of God in whichever office he/she is placed needs to be a faithful steward of the tasks entrusted. Many misuse their positions for selfish gains, squandering the resources of their masters, which is not in line with godly principles. 1 Corinthians 4:2 reminds us: “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” Your good workmanship in the responsibility assigned to you gives evidence of your standing as a child of God!

• Faith in action

Obadiah was first God’s servant before being Ahab’s. Therefore his reverential fear of God and his respect for His servants made him act to protect the prophets who were being harassed by the ungodly queen, Jezebel. He took the risk to save a hundred of them from the sword by hiding them in caves and providing for them. Obadiah did not sit idle after seeing the misery of his fellow brethren in the faith but stepped in to help them appropriately. Galatians 6:2 says: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Believers are to called to help their brothers and sisters in need, in the capacity they can by which they will honor the Lord.

• Fearless obedience

When Elijah met with Obadiah and instructed him to carry the message of Elijah’s arrival to the king, first he was taken aback. The king had been searching high and low for Elijah who had declared the word from the Lord of the drought in the land until the Lord would pronounce it otherwise. Elijah had then left the place as directed by the Lord. So to report to the king that Elijah was back and was to meet the king would be at the risk of Obadiah’s life. But he obeyed the word of the prophet and boldly went to the king delivering the message given to him. Challenges in life are common to all—but how we respond shows where our trust lies. The one whose life is entrusted to the Lord’s care and is keen to follow His instructions at tough times, learns to lean on to Him until He brings him/her through it all! 

The assurance from the Lord to every believer is in Isiaah 43:1&2

But now, this is what the LORD says—

   he who created you, Jacob,

   he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

   I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

   they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

   you will not be burned;

   the flames will not set you ablaze.

May we like Obadiah learn to trust the Lord with our lives and allow Him to see us through our challenges while we remain faithfully devoted to Him!

Listen: 'GOD is the strength of my heart'