Daily Worship (Sept 28)

Obadiah 1:3–4 (NIV)
3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, “Who can bring me down to the ground?” 4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.

Devotional Thought
Edom thought they were untouchable. Their homes were built high in the rocky mountains, and they felt safe from attack. Their pride deceived them into thinking they could never be brought down. But God reminds them that no matter how high they climb, He alone has the power to humble the proud.
We often hide in our own “lofty dwellings.” Maybe it’s our education, career, money, race, politics, or even our parenting. We think these things make us strong or better than others. But pride blinds us to our weakness and causes us to treat people poorly. God warns us that pride will always lead to a fall.
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus humbled Himself for us. Philippians 2 says that though He was God, He made Himself nothing, even to the point of death on the cross. Where our pride deserves judgment, Jesus’ humility gives us life. In Him, we can let go of pride and live with humble love toward others. Instead of saying, “Who can bring me down?” we can say with joy, “God has lifted me up in Christ.”

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does Obadiah’s message of judgment against Edom fit with other parts of the Bible that warn against pride?
• Observation: What images does God use to show Edom’s pride?
• Meaning: What does it mean that “the pride of your heart has deceived you”?
• Main Idea: How does this passage show that pride always leads to God’s judgment?
• Application: What “lofty dwelling” do you trust in that God is calling you to surrender in humility?

Prayer
Lord, I confess that my pride often deceives me. I think too highly of myself and forget that You alone are God. Thank You that Jesus humbled Himself for me, even to death on a cross. Help me to walk in humility, not arrogance, and to treat others with the love and respect You have shown me. Amen.

Obadiah 1:10–11 (NIV)
10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. 11 On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.

Devotional Thought
When Babylon invaded Jerusalem, Edom should have helped their brothers. Instead, they stood by and did nothing. God calls this sin. Sometimes sin is not only about what we do wrong, but also what we fail to do when we should act. The sin of omission is ignoring God’s call to love, serve, and protect others.
Think about it: How many times have we seen someone in trouble but told ourselves, “It’s not my business”? Maybe we stayed quiet when someone was bullied, refused to help a neighbor in need, or ignored injustice in our community. Like Edom, we become guilty when we stand aloof.
But here is the gospel: Jesus did not stand aloof. When He saw our sin and brokenness, He came down. He did not look the other way. Instead, He entered our suffering and laid down His life to rescue us. Because He acted in love, we can now act in love toward others. God calls us not to stand aside but to step in with courage, compassion, and faith.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How does this passage compare with other times in the Bible when God condemns those who ignore injustice?
• Observation: What did Edom do—or fail to do—that made them guilty?
• Meaning: Why does God treat omission (doing nothing) as seriously as commission (doing wrong)?
• Main Idea: How does this passage challenge us to see inaction as a form of sin?
• Application: Where is God calling you to step in instead of standing aloof?

Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I have stood by while others suffered. Thank You that Jesus did not stand aloof but entered my brokenness to save me. Give me courage to act with love and not turn away from those in need. Amen.

Obadiah 1:15–17 (NIV)
15 “The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. 16 Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been. 17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.”

Devotional Thought
The Day of the Lord is both terrifying and hopeful. For Edom and all nations, God promises judgment: “As you have done, it will be done to you.” Every act of pride, injustice, and cruelty will be answered. God is perfectly just, and no one can escape His judgment.
But for God’s people, the Day of the Lord also means deliverance. On Mount Zion—the place of God’s presence—there will be escape and inheritance. This points us to Jesus, who took God’s judgment on Himself at the cross. He drank the cup of God’s wrath so that we could drink the cup of salvation. The judgment that should have fallen on us fell on Him.
When we trust in Christ, the Day of the Lord is no longer a day to fear, but a day to look forward to. On that day, God’s justice will end evil forever, and His people will live with Him in holiness and joy. Until then, we live humbly, knowing that judgment is real, but so is God’s redeeming promise in Christ.

COMMA Questions

• Context: How do other prophets in the Bible describe the Day of the Lord, and how does this passage add to that picture?
• Observation: What two very different outcomes are described in this passage?
• Meaning: What does it mean that “as you have done, it will be done to you”?
• Main Idea: How does this passage show both the justice of God and the hope of redemption?
• Application: How should knowing the reality of God’s judgment and promise of deliverance shape the way you live today?

Prayer
Lord, I deserve judgment for my pride and sin, but Jesus took my place on the cross. Thank You for the hope of deliverance and the promise of eternal inheritance in Him. Help me to live each day with humility, faith, and hope as I wait for the day when Your kingdom comes in full. Amen.