The Day of the Lord Is Near

Daily Reading: Obadiah 1

For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.  As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. (Obadiah 1.15)

Devotional Thought: Obadiah was a worshiper of the Lord.  Literally.  That’s what "Obadiah" means.  God had his undivided loyalty.  That loyalty led Obadiah to an interesting mission.  While the other prophets of his era focused their prophecies on many nations - including Israel and Judah - Obadiah concerned himself with just one nation - Edom.

The people of Edom were antagonistic toward Israel.  It began with their forefather Esau, who had plotted to murder his brother Jacob.  Jacob certainly contributed to this animosity when he swindled his brother out of birthright and blessing.  Jacob more than paid him back, however, with gifts upon their reunion.  It didn't matter.  Esau's descendents wouldn't let go of their longstanding grudge.  Centuries later, when Israel was trying to get to the promised land, Edom refused them passage.  Centuries after that, when Babylon ransacked Jerusalem, Edom allied themselves against Israel.  Through the prophet Obadiah, God told the Edomites that their cruelty would come back on their own heads.  Judgment - the day of the Lord - was coming upon all the nations, and at that time Edom would get just what they had dished out.

God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather desires that they would turn to him (Ezekiel 18).  There is a principle, however, that we reap what we sow.  If we sow hatred, we will receive hatred in return.  If violence, then violence in return.  If death, then death in return.  "As you have done, it shall be done to you."

That principle works the other way, too.  Despite past grievances, and considering our worship of the Lord, let us sow love, peace, and life.  As we do, they shall return upon our own heads.

Prayer: "The day of the Lord is near."  Help me, my Father, to live with the realization that what I do will return to me - if not in this life, then in the life to come.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 105.1-6

1 Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 6 you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.