John 10:10a English Standard Version (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

This is only the first half of John 10:10 and with the hope of continuing on the same thoughts from yesterday’s devotional, let us compare this with 1 Kings 18.

Obadiah feared the Lord but served Ahab. This comes down to the issue of serving two masters.

Matthew 6:24 English Standard Version (ESV) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

In Obadiah’s case it was God and Ahab. He was doing things behind Ahab’s back which would have cost him his life had Ahab found out. Many of us had an observer’s knowledge of God and acted in ways that we hoped would please God but not draw Satan’s attention. When Obadiah changed allegiances in his heart his fear was that Ahab would find out. For us there has to come a time when we commend to God in believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and telling Satan we have changed sides.

Here is the comparison to John 10:10a and 1 Kings 18. God had not revealed His power on Mount Carmel when Obadiah switched allegiances. We come to Christ and have not seen the power of God in our lives, yet. Because of that, as babes in Christ, we fear everything until God reveals Himself in power.

John 10:10b English Standard Version (ESV) I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

This abundant life promise comes with growth in Christ. Babes in Christ only feel the love and nourishment in relationship. They don’t see the protection because they haven’t seen the danger.

We might never see a Mount Carmel moment. We might be asked to act like Elijah for God.

God does not send babies to do a man’s job. Knowing this, does it hinder our growth?

1 Kings 18:7-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’

Obadiah feared the Lord. So much so that he had hidden a hundred prophets that Jezebel and Ahab had sworn to kill. Reading this chapter of 1st Kings we find that Obadiah is a trusted servant of Ahab. What changed that made Obadiah suddenly fear Ahab? I can think of many reasons why but I have settle upon one to speak about.

Obadiah announces in verse 9 that Elijah is now his master and calls himself Elijah’s servant. Considering Elijah is the one prophet wanted by Ahab above all the rest, Obadiah’s words show a change of heart. It is likely that Ahab would welcome Obadiah’s announcement of the presence of Elijah. Since Obadiah did not suffer at the hands of Ahab for the message, it is safe to assume so.

Obadiah feared because he changed allegiances in his heart. This is similar to our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. At our baptism we announce to Satan we no longer serve him. Satan is now our enemy and John 10:10 comes into play. Being human, we find fear in our change of allegiance.