Responsibility

Readings for today: Obadiah 1, Psalms 82-83

Life is a product of the choices we make. Yes, I fully understand there are circumstances outside our control. Yes, I fully understand there are forces beyond our control. Yes, I fully understand there are things that influence us one direction or another. But we are not powerless. We are not victims. We are not helpless or hopeless in the face of such things. We all get to make choices. Every single day. Choices that determine our quality of life and quality of relationships. I have met many people who had nothing but chose joy. I have met many people who have everything but choose despair. I have met people who have faced great adversity and overcome. I have met people who faced great adversity and were crushed. I have met people who dealt with their grief and pain and suffering by turning to God. They became lights in the midst of the darkness. I have met people who dealt with their grief and pain and suffering by turning to substance abuse or some other self-destructive pattern of behavior. They were overcome by the darkness. Not all of us are dealt the same cards in life but all of us do get to choose how to play them.

What’s true for us as individuals is also true of nations. God could not be more clear. The nations will be judged by the same measure by which they judge others. They will be treated in the same way they treat others. Jesus Himself said, “For with the measure you use, so it will be measured back to you.” Perhaps He was thinking of these words from the prophet Obadiah when He said them, “For the day of the Lord is near, against all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; what you deserve will return on your own head.” (Obadiah‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬) Every individual makes choices. Every nation makes choices. Will they choose to serve God or will they choose to serve themselves? Will they seek the good of those around them or will they exploit them for their own benefit? It’s not like God’s will is a secret. He clearly communicates what He expects. “Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked.” (Psalms‬ ‭82‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬) The main question is…will we do it? Will we obey Him? Will we follow Him?

From the moment you wake up, you are making choices and your decisions will determine the course of your life. You make decisions regarding your physical health. Mental health. Spiritual health. Emotional health. You make decisions on how you will treat those around you. Those you live with and among. You will make decisions on how you spend your time and money and energy. Most importantly, you will set priorities that will govern how you decide and when you decide and what you decide. Are your priorities aligned with God’s priorities for your life?

Readings for tomorrow: Jeremiah 45-48

Logical Consequences

Readings for today: Obadiah, Psalms 82-83

I have four children, all of whom have entered or are entering adulthood. One of the things we’ve tried hard to teach them over the years is the law of logical consequences. Every single one of our decisions in life - good or bad - results in consequences. When we are responsible and do the right thing, most of the time the consequences are good. We are blessed. We succeed. We get ahead. When we are irresponsible and do the selfish thing, most of the time the consequences are bad. We struggle. We invite all kinds of anxiety and fear into our lives. We fall behind. I realize it’s not always this way. Life does have a way of throwing us curves. Sometimes those who are irresponsible are blessed. Those are responsible are cursed. The rain falls on the just and unjust alike. But I do believe, by and large, logical consequences hold true.

What is true for us as individuals is also true for the nations. God is the judge of the nations of the earth and His judgments are always righteous and good. He repays the wicked for their wickedness and He blesses those who walk in faithful obedience. Consider the nation of Edom. Descendants of Esau. Jacob’s brother. One would think their bonds of kinship would make them allies for Israel but sadly, they were most often enemies. When Israel struggled and needed them the most, they refused to help. Not only that but they took advantage of her weakness and exploited her brokenness for their own gain. They refused to lift a finger as Israel was carted off into exile. They laughed at the plight of their cousins, refusing to give shelter to refugees. God, of course, was watching. He took note of how Edom treated Israel and He will judge them for their sins.

“God’s Judgment Day is near for all the godless nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. What you did will boomerang back and hit your own head. Just as you partied on my holy mountain, all the godless nations will drink God’s wrath. They’ll drink and drink and drink— they’ll drink themselves to death. But not so on Mount Zion—there’s respite there! a safe and holy place! The family of Jacob will take back their possessions from those who took them from them. That’s when the family of Jacob will catch fire, the family of Joseph become fierce flame, while the family of Esau will be straw. Esau will go up in flames, nothing left of Esau but a pile of ashes.” God said it, and it is so.” (Obadiah‬ ‭1‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

If you are like me, you often wonder at the state of the world. You get frustrated and angry when you see corruption in political leadership, the powerful exploit the powerless, nations invade other nations, and the impact this has on the poorest of the world. You may even cry out to God - as I often do - “How long, O Lord? How long will you let such things stand?” Obadiah is a great reminder of the coming Judgment Day of God where all things will be set right. Evil will be repaid with evil. Good with good. Righteousness will win the day. Justice will be done. The consequences of our choices will fall either on us or on Christ.

Readings for tomorrow: Jeremiah 45-48