How can we trust God's promises like those in Obadiah 1:20 today? Setting the Scene in Obadiah 1:20 “ And the exiles of this host of the Israelites will possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath; and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.” (Obadiah 1:20) • God pledges a literal return and territorial restoration for scattered Israelites. • Though spoken to a specific generation, the verse reveals God’s unchanging habit of keeping every detail He utters. God’s Faithfulness Demonstrated Historically • Israel did return from exile (Ezra 1:1-4). • Centuries later, Jewish presence was re-established in the Negev and northern coastal regions—God’s precision over time. • Joshua testified, “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:45) The Character of the Promise-Keeper • “God is not a man, that He should lie.” (Numbers 23:19) • “The word of the LORD endures forever.” (1 Peter 1:25) • His covenants rest on His own unchangeable nature, not on shifting human circumstances (Malachi 3:6). Christ the Fulfillment and Guarantee • “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) • Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate public proof that God finishes what He starts (Romans 4:24-25). • Because Christ lives, every promise—physical, spiritual, or prophetic—stands anchored in a living Savior (Hebrews 7:22). Practical Steps to Anchor Our Trust Today • Read promises in their context, noting God’s original intent and His flawless track record. • Rehearse past fulfillments: personal testimonies and biblical accounts build present confidence (Psalm 77:11-12). • Memorize key verses about God’s reliability—Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 119:89; Hebrews 10:23. • Speak promises aloud; faith grows by hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17). • Act in obedience while waiting; obedience expresses trust that fulfillment is certain (James 2:22-23). Encouraging Reminders From the Rest of Scripture • “The LORD is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.” (Psalm 145:13) • “He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24) • “All flesh is grass… but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:6-8) The God who precisely resettled exiles in Obadiah’s day still reigns, still speaks, and still performs. Therefore, we can rely without hesitation on every promise He has made to us today. |
    |