Obadiah: Faith Over Fear

 Have you ever had a job where your values didn’t align with the company or the leadership, but quitting wasn’t an option? That was Obadiah’s reality every day. I was rereading the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 18, and I camped out on the person of Obadiah and began to really ponder his situation.  

The Bible describes Obadiah as a man who “feared the Lord greatly,” yet he worked directly for one of Israel’s most wicked kings, Ahab. Not just that—he was in charge of Ahab’s household, a position of significant influence and responsibility, even serving as the king’s personal representative. Can you imagine the daily struggle of trying to stay true to your faith while serving a corrupt leader?  

King Ahab, along with his even more wicked wife, Queen Jezebel, led Israel into deep idolatry and rebellion against God. Jezebel, in particular, was infamous for massacring the prophets of God, ordering their execution, and promoting the worship of Baal. Many faithful followers of God fled or were killed during this time. Yet, in the midst of this corruption, Obadiah secretly protected and provided for one hundred prophets of the Lord, hiding them in caves and feeding them with bread and water (1 Kings 18:4). This act was not without risk—if Ahab or Jezebel had discovered his actions, Obadiah would have surely faced death. However, his loyalty to God compelled him to protect God’s servants, even at great personal cost. 

How did he reconcile his faith with his position? How did he stand firm while surrounded by compromise? His story challenges us to consider what it means to be faithful in difficult places—when walking away isn’t an option, but neither is abandoning what you believe. 

Bearing Up in Harsh Places

Obadiah’s story is a reminder that sometimes, God calls His people to remain in difficult situations rather than flee from them. It would have been easier for Obadiah to resign from his position, remove himself from Ahab’s court, or go into hiding like Elijah. But instead, he stayed where he was, using his position of influence to carry out God’s work in secret. 

There are times in life when believers may find themselves in hostile or ungodly environments—whether at work, in government, or even within families. While it may be tempting to escape such places, God may have placed us there for a reason. Like Obadiah, we are called to remain faithful and make an impact where we are, even when it is difficult. 

Faithfulness Over Fear

When Elijah later meets Obadiah and instructs him to inform Ahab of his presence, Obadiah hesitates out of fear that Ahab will kill him (1 Kings 18:9-14). This shows that even the most faithful believers struggle with fear. Yet, despite his concerns, Obadiah obeys, demonstrating that faithfulness to God is not about the absence of fear but about choosing obedience in spite of it. 

Obadiah’s life teaches us several valuable lessons: 

1. Faithfulness in Small Things Matters – Obadiah was not as well-known as the prophet Elijah, but his acts of courage—hiding and providing for God’s prophets—were crucial in preserving God’s people. 

   
   

2. God Places His People in Strategic Positions – Obadiah wasn’t in Ahab’s court by accident—God placed him there for a purpose. Sometimes, God calls His followers to stay in difficult places because there’s a bigger plan at work. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or sitting in the executive chair, your position might have a greater purpose than you realize.

   
   

3. Obedience Requires Courage – Obadiah feared for his life, yet he chose to obey. Faithfulness does not mean we never feel fear; it means we choose to trust God despite it.

   
   

Obadiah’s story is a powerful testament to the importance of remaining faithful in hostile and challenging environments. Like Obadiah, we are called to fear God, not man. We are also called to stand firm, act courageously, and trust that God will sustain us as we remain faithful to Him, no matter the circumstances. 

So be strong of a good courage! God has you where He wants you.  

God Bless You Today, 

Carole