{"id":1434,"date":"2025-03-17T05:08:48","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T05:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=1434"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:39:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:39:01","slug":"responding-to-gods-justice-and-mercy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/responding-to-gods-justice-and-mercy\/","title":{"rendered":"RESPONDING TO GOD\u2019S JUSTICE AND MERCY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Responding to God\u2019s Justice and Mercy<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Obadiah 1:1-21<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever ignored a warning sign, thinking, That doesn\u2019t apply to me?<\/em> Maybe it was a low fuel light on your car\u2019s dashboard, and you figured you could push it just a little further\u2014until your car sputtered to a stop at the worst possible moment. Maybe it was a doctor\u2019s warning to make some changes to your diet, but you shrugged it off\u2014until you faced a serious health scare. Or maybe it was a bridge marked \u201cClosed for Repairs,\u201d<\/strong> but you assumed it was still strong enough to hold\u2014until you found yourself in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring warning signs often leads to disaster. That is the heart of the book of Obadiah. It is God\u2019s warning sign<\/strong> to a nation that thought they were untouchable<\/strong>, a people who were so blinded by their own self-sufficiency that they failed to recognize their downfall was near.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, only 21 verses long, but its message is powerful and deeply relevant. It is a declaration of God\u2019s justice and mercy<\/strong>. It is a reminder that pride leads to destruction<\/strong>, that God defends His people<\/strong>, and that His kingdom will stand forever<\/strong>. Though this prophecy is about Edom<\/strong>, a nation that had long opposed Israel, it is not just about them. It is a message for all of us today\u2014a call to humble ourselves, trust in God\u2019s justice, and live in the blessing of His kingdom<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Humble Yourself Before God\u2019s Judgment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The opening verses of Obadiah set the stage for God\u2019s judgment against Edom. In verse 3, the Lord speaks directly to their sin, saying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, \u2018Who will bring me down to the ground?\u2019 Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.\u201d<\/em> (Obadiah 1:3-4)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Edom was a nation known for its military strength, wealth, and geographical advantage<\/strong>. Their capital city, Petra<\/strong>, was literally built into the mountains, with narrow passages and towering cliffs making it nearly impossible for enemies to invade. Because of this, they felt invincible. They looked at their high position\u2014physically, politically, and economically\u2014and believed that nothing could bring them down<\/strong>. But God declares, \u201cFrom there I will bring you down.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the great deception of pride<\/strong>. It convinces us that we are in control, that we are self-sufficient, that we do not need God. Edom\u2019s arrogance led them to believe that their fortified cities, alliances, and resources<\/strong> would keep them secure, but they failed to recognize that security apart from God is an illusion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles Spurgeon once said:<\/strong>
“Pride is the ground in which all other sins grow, and the parent from which all other sins come.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pride was the sin of\u00a0Satan<\/strong>, who said in Isaiah 14:13-14,\u00a0\u201cI will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God, I will set my throne on high.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0It was the sin of\u00a0Nebuchadnezzar<\/strong>, who looked at his great empire and said,\u00a0\u201c<\/em>Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city\u2026\u201d\u00a0(Daniel 4:30). It was the sin of\u00a0Pharaoh<\/strong>, who refused to submit to God and was ultimately crushed by the power of the Almighty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it is the sin that still threatens us today. Pride deceives us into thinking we are strong on our own, that we can handle life without God. It shows up in our unwillingness to pray, in our refusal to admit when we are wrong, in our belief that we can control our future. But the truth is, none of us are beyond the reach of God\u2019s correction.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So how do we humble ourselves before the Lord? James 4:10 tells us, \u201cHumble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.\u201d<\/em> Humility is not weakness\u2014it is recognizing that we are completely dependent on God.<\/strong> It is admitting that we do not have all the answers, that we cannot save ourselves, that we need His grace every moment of our lives. When we humble ourselves before Him, we position ourselves to receive His mercy. But when we harden our hearts, like Edom, we invite His judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Trust God to Defend and Deliver<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As Obadiah continues, the Lord moves from condemning Edom\u2019s pride<\/strong> to addressing their violence and betrayal against Israel.<\/strong> In verse 10, God declares:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.”<\/em>(Obadiah 1:10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is significant because Israel and Edom were family\u2014descendants of twin brothers, Jacob and Esau. Though the two brothers had reconciled in their lifetimes (Genesis 33), their descendants carried on a bitter rivalry that lasted for generations. Instead of standing with Israel, Edom had a long history of hostility toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most grievous offense occurred when Jerusalem was attacked\u2014likely by the Babylonians. Instead of coming to Israel\u2019s aid, Edom did the opposite. They celebrated Israel\u2019s downfall. They stood at a distance as Israel was invaded. Then, when the battle was over, they looted the city, taking what remained. And worst of all, they blocked those trying to escape and handed them over to the enemy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God saw it all. And He made it clear\u2014Edom would not escape judgment. They thought they had acted without consequence, but the Lord declared that their treachery would bring their own destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God Sees Every Injustice<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Edom\u2019s actions reveal a hard truth\u2014people will fail us. People will betray us. People we trust may turn against us. Some of the deepest wounds in life come not from strangers but from those we once considered close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you have felt the sting of betrayal. Maybe a friend you confided in used your words against you. Maybe a coworker sabotaged your work for their own gain. Maybe a family member turned their back on you in your time of need. These wounds cut deep, and the natural response is to want justice now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here\u2019s the truth\u2014God sees everything.<\/strong> No wrong ever escapes His sight. He does not overlook betrayal, injustice, or wrongdoing.<\/strong> He sees what has been done against His people, and He will act in His perfect time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 37:7-9:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes… For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s justice may not always come when we expect it, but it always comes. While we may not see immediate consequences, no one escapes the justice of God. No injustice will go unpunished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Danger of Taking Justice into Our Own Hands<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the greatest temptations when we have been wronged is to take matters into our own hands. We want revenge<\/strong>. We want to see the other person suffer as they made us suffer. We want them to feel the pain we have felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Scripture warns us against this. Romans 12:19 says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, \u2018Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This does not mean God ignores sin or lets people get away with wrongdoing. It means that justice belongs to Him alone. When we try to handle it ourselves, we often make things worse. We may retaliate in a way that is sinful. We may harden our hearts with bitterness. And we may even delay the justice of God because we refuse to release the situation into His hands. When we step aside and trust God to be the judge, we are freed from carrying the weight of revenge. We can live in peace, knowing that God will make things right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Releasing Bitterness and Embracing Forgiveness<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Trusting God\u2019s justice does not mean that we excuse sin or pretend it didn\u2019t happen. It means we release the burden of carrying the offense.<\/strong> We entrust it to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the hardest commands in Scripture is to forgive those who have wronged us. Yet Jesus made it clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”<\/em> (Matthew 6:15)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Forgiveness does not mean we allow toxic people to remain in our lives. It does not mean we tolerate injustice. It simply means we release the offense and trust God to handle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian who survived a Nazi concentration camp, told a powerful story about forgiveness. After the war, she encountered one of the prison guards who had mistreated her and her sister. He had become a Christian and asked for her forgiveness. She struggled internally, knowing the pain he had caused, but she also knew she had to obey God. She extended her hand and forgave him, saying, \u201cI had never known God\u2019s love so intensely as I did then.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forgiveness is not about the other person\u2014it is about our own hearts before God. It is about breaking the chains of bitterness and resentment so that we can walk in freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We Don\u2019t Have to Fight Every Battle\u2014God is Our Defender<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The lesson from Obadiah is this: God defends His people. He saw Edom\u2019s betrayal. He saw their cruelty. And He responded with justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He sees your pain, too. He knows the wounds you carry. He knows what has been done against you. And He promises that He will make things right. So instead of carrying the burden of revenge, we can rest in God\u2019s justice. Instead of holding onto bitterness, we can walk in the freedom of forgiveness. And instead of exhausting ourselves by trying to fight every battle, we can trust that God will fight for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exodus 14:14 reminds us of this powerful truth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

We can release our need to control, knowing that our Defender is also our Deliverer. He is the One who brings true justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trusting God\u2019s Justice Brings Peace<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When we trust God to handle justice, we no longer have to live with anger, fear, or resentment.<\/strong> We can live in peace, knowing that God is faithful to His promises. The world may be filled with injustice, but the kingdom of God is built on righteousness, peace, and truth.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what is the takeaway?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Let go of revenge<\/strong>\u2014it only burdens you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Trust that God sees every wrong<\/strong>\u2014no one escapes His justice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Forgive as Christ has forgiven you<\/strong>\u2014it is the key to freedom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Rest in His perfect timing<\/strong>\u2014justice belongs to the Lord.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Edom believed they could act without consequence. But God declared that His justice was coming.<\/strong> And just as He judged Edom, He will judge all who oppose Him and mistreat His people. In the end, righteousness will prevail. Sin will not have the final word. The God of justice will make all things right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And that is why we can trust in Him completely.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Live in the Blessing of God\u2019s Kingdom<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The prophecy of Obadiah does not end with judgment\u2014it ends with hope.<\/strong> While Edom was doomed to destruction, Israel was given a promise of restoration. The final verses of the book declare:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    “Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines; they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb. Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord\u2019s.\u201d<\/em> (Obadiah 1:19-21)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Though Israel had faced discipline and exile, God had not abandoned them. He had allowed them to suffer the consequences of their sin, but He also had a future for them. The final verse of Obadiah speaks of the ultimate rule of God\u2019s kingdom, declaring that one day, the Lord\u2019s dominion will be fully established over all the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This promise points beyond Israel\u2019s immediate restoration to the coming of Christ<\/strong>, who would establish a kingdom that will never end. The message is clear\u2014God\u2019s people may endure trials, but His plan for them will prevail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    God\u2019s Justice Leads to Restoration<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most important truths we see throughout Scripture is that God\u2019s judgment is never the final word for His people\u2014restoration is. Yes, He disciplines. Yes, He corrects. But He does so with the goal of bringing His people back to Himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In Hebrews 12:6, we read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cThe Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Israel\u2019s history is a testimony to this truth. Though they suffered under foreign powers, God never abandoned them.<\/strong> He promised to restore them, to give them a future, and to bring them back to the land He had given them. And He was faithful to that promise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For us today, this is a reminder that God is not done with us.<\/strong> We may go through trials. We may face hardships. But God\u2019s plan is always to restore, redeem, and bring us into the fullness of His kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jesus and the Kingdom of God<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Obadiah\u2019s prophecy ultimately points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When Jesus began His ministry, He declared in Mark 1:15:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cThe time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Jesus was ushering in the fulfillment of God\u2019s kingdom, a kingdom that would not be based on earthly power, wealth, or military strength, but on righteousness, justice, and peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Paul reminds us in Romans 14:17:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cFor the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    This means that when we trust in Christ, we become part of a kingdom that will never be shaken.<\/strong> We are no longer just citizens of this world\u2014we are citizens of God\u2019s eternal kingdom.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Do We Live in the Blessing of God\u2019s Kingdom?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    To live in the blessing of God\u2019s kingdom means that we:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Live with gratitude<\/strong> \u2013 We do not take for granted the grace we have received. Every day is an opportunity to thank God for His faithfulness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Stay anchored in His promises<\/strong> \u2013 When the world seems unstable, we remind ourselves that God\u2019s Word is unchanging. We build our lives on His truth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Stay connected to God\u2019s people<\/strong> \u2013 The kingdom of God is not meant to be lived out in isolation. We are part of the body of Christ, the church, and we need one another.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Seek first the kingdom of God<\/strong> \u2013 Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33, \u201cSeek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.\u201d<\/em> This means that our priorities must align with God\u2019s will and His purposes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      The Comfort of God\u2019s Justice<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      The final message of Obadiah is that justice will be done, and the kingdom of God will reign forever.<\/strong> For those who have trusted in Christ, this is a source of great comfort.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Romans 5:1<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cTherefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Romans 8:1<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cThere is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Romans 8:38-39<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cNothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        This is the great hope of the believer<\/strong>\u2014that we are not only forgiven but that we are part of an unshakable kingdom that belongs to the Lord.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A Call to Action: Aligning Our Lives with the Kingdom of God<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        So how do we respond? We choose to live as people of the kingdom.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • We live differently from the world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • We refuse to let pride blind us.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • We trust God\u2019s justice instead of seeking revenge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • We walk in the confidence that God\u2019s promises will never fail.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          Unlike Edom, who resisted God\u2019s rule, we are called to submit to His reign and live for His glory.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          One day, Christ will return,<\/strong> and His kingdom will be fully realized. Revelation 11:15 declares:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n

          \u201cThe kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

          This is the ultimate fulfillment of Obadiah\u2019s prophecy\u2014the moment when all things will be made right, when evil will be fully defeated, and when the Lord will reign over all creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Until that day, we live in faith, we walk in obedience, and we fix our eyes on the eternal hope we have in Jesus.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Conclusion:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          How will you respond to God\u2019s warning? Will you humble yourself before Him? Will you trust Him to fight your battles? Will you live in His kingdom?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The choice is ours. But the call is urgent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Let\u2019s pray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          Heavenly Father, we come before You in humility, acknowledging that You alone are sovereign, just, and merciful. Forgive us for the times we have trusted in our own strength rather than in You. Help us to recognize where pride has blinded us and lead us to true repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Lord, we trust in Your perfect justice. You see every wrong, and we release our need for revenge, knowing that You will make all things right in Your time. Give us hearts that forgive, faith that rests in Your promises, and a desire to walk in obedience to You.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Jesus, thank You for taking the judgment we deserved so that we could receive Your mercy. Teach us to live as citizens of Your kingdom\u2014seeking Your will, trusting Your ways, and reflecting Your love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          As we go from this place, may we walk in humility, live in faith, and honor You in all we do. We give You all the glory, in Jesus\u2019 name. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Responding to God\u2019s Justice and Mercy Obadiah 1:1-21 Introduction: Have you ever ignored a warning sign, thinking, That doesn\u2019t apply to me? Maybe it was a low …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1434","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1434"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2669,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1434\/revisions\/2669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}