Different Tasks
1 Kings 18: 1-6
"After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: "Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land."
So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria, and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD. While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.)
Ahab had said to Obadiah, "Go through the land to all the springs and valleys. Maybe we can find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive so we will not have to kill any of our animals."
So they divided the land they were to cover, Ahab going in one direction and Obadiah in another."
Someone asked a famous conductor of a great symphony orchestra which instrument he considered the most difficult to play. The response was “second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who can play second fiddle with enthusiasm that’s a problem. And if we have no second fiddles, we have no harmony.”
Many people make up all kinds of excuses - “if I could only have a beautiful voice, I’d sing for the Lord; If I could stand up in front of others, then I would be a preacher; If I only had money, I’d really be faithful in giving lots to the Lord’ work; If I only I wasn’t sick I could do more for the church….”
If you don’t have what you want then use what you have. Bloom where God plants you. So many are caught up in the dreams of something happening out there in the future, they miss the possibilities and responsibilities right before them. Some linger in the past and miss the opportunities of the present.
Obadiah had a God-given job, to provide for servants of God, hide them from arrest and prevent murder by the armies of the King. He had the ability, resources, and position to do that task. Hundreds of Jews who were saved from the Holocaust in Nazi Germany in the same way when Christians and well-meaning people used their influence and resources to save lives.
Obadiah was a good employee and very important to Ahab. He was highly respected because of his work record. But ultimately, he worked for God. Being a good worker is a testimony to the Lord.
I worked at the Grain Terminal Association. I was told they liked to hire Bethel students for they weren’t as lazy and were more conscientious workers. If there is one thing that is a good witness to the outside world it is being a good employee and a fair employer - someone who works as unto the Lord. Developing good working habits, being courteous and consistent is honoring to the Lord.
It is not easy to be a godly man or woman among evil people. Elijah was called to come out and stand up against the evil king and apostasy. He was called to be a transformer, not a reformer. He wasn’t trying to change the system from within, but from without. God gave him courage and conviction to stand up and declare the truth in boldness and faith.
If you rely on God in your job, city, home, school then bloom for Him. Do something, but by all means don’t be influenced by the temptation of sin or the influence of evil people around you. God may have you where you are to pave the road for a plan, just like he did with Obadiah, who also paved the way for Elijah. Each had different tasks and would be wrong to do something else.
God calls Christians to different tasks and situations in different stages of life. Don’t try to make others fit your mold. Don’t think God can’t also change your situation when the time is right by His timetable. The question is, “Are you doing what you know God wants you to be doing with the gifts and abilities He has given you?
Prayer: Lord, I offer myself to you to use me as you wish with my talents and gifts. Amen
