Feasting on God's Word (One Year Bible)

OBADIAH ‘The Kingdom will be the Lord’s’ (21). When, Lord, Your Kingdom comes, there will be both salvation – ‘The house of Jacob will possess its inheritance’ – and judgment – ‘There will be no survivors from the house of Esau’ (17-18). ‘Not by works but by Him who calls’ – This is the great contrast between ‘Jacob’ and ‘Esau’. We thank You that we have not been saved ‘because of any good deeds that we have done.’ We have been saved ‘by grace’. We can never be saved ‘by works.’ We can never receive Your grace ‘by works.’ Teach us, Lord, to receive Your grace ‘by faith.’ May we look away from ourselves to You, and say, ‘He saved us.’ ‘It is by grace that you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no-one can boast’ (Romans 9:10-13, 30-32; 11:6; Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Three times, in the first verse of Obadiah, the divine origin of Obadiah's message is emphasized - "This is what the Almighty Lord says ... We heard a message from the Lord. A messenger was sent ..." (Obadiah, verse 10).  The final verse   places the emphasis on the divine outcome of the prophetic message: "The Kingdom will belong to the Lord" (Obadiah, verse 21). What is the way in which the Lord leads us from the beginning of our faith to the completion of our faith? - It's the way of holiness (Obadiah, verse 17). God is calling us to be holy. He's calling us to walk with Him in holiness of life.

The last words of Obadiah are a great declaration; “the Kingdom will be the Lord’s” ( Obadiah 21 ). When we think of God’s Kingdom, we are thinking not only of a Kingdom which belongs to solely to God, but a Kingdom which He shares with the redeemed. Christ says, “Here am I, and the children God has given Me” ( Hebrews 2:13 ). Though there may be “a fierce lion roaming the streets (the devil)” ( Proverbs 26:13 ), the Lord will fufil His saving purpose.

Day 29 8 Jeremiah 52:1-34 ; Titus 1:1-16 ; Psalm 119:105-112 The final chapter of Jeremiah speaks of the fall of Jerusalem , followed by captivity in Babylon . Difficulties face God’s people in every generation: “There are many rebellious people ... “ ( Titus 1:10 ). The Lord’s people must not be afraid to stand up for Him ( Titus 1:11 ). Whatever others may say and do, this is what we must say and do: “I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow Your righteous laws” ( Psalm 119:106 ).  Day 299 Habakkuk 1:1-3:19 ; Titus 2:1-15 ; Proverbs 26:3-12 “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights” - These are the last words of Habakkuk ( Habakkuk 3:19 ). “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age ...” ( Titus 2:11-12 ). ...