1 KINGS 18:7-8
Now as Obadiah was on his way, suddenly Elijah met him; and he recognized him, and fell on his
face, and said, “Is that you, my lord Elijah?” And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your master,
‘Elijah is here.'”
Many years ago there was a great missionary rally held in the Royal Albert Hall in London, England.
The Duke of Wellington was there, the man who had defeated the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. A
clergyman turned to him and asked, “My Lord Duke, do you believe in missions?” The duke replied,
“What are your marching orders?” The man responded, “Well, of course, the Bible says we’re to go
into all the world.” “Then,” said the duke, “you have nothing to say about it. As a soldier, you’re
simply to obey orders.”
When Obadiah met Elijah, he, too, received marching orders. Elijah spoke as from the Lord when he
said, “Go and tell.” “Go to your master, Ahab, one of the most godless kings who ever ruled Israel,
and tell him that the spokesman for God is back in the land.” This was not a suggestion; it was not a
recommendation; it was a command.
Obadiah was afraid. He said, “Are you sending me to my death? If I go and tell Ahab you’re here and
you disappear on me, Ahab will kill me.” But in spite of his fears, Obadiah obeyed.
When Christ met His disciples after the resurrection, He gave the same orders. Go! “Go therefore and
make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). Tell! “Teaching them to observe all things” (v. 20). These, too, are not
open for discussion. We may have our fears, but Christ’s commands are our marching orders.
Are you willing to “go and tell”? Perhaps it’s “go and tell” your next-door neighbor, or someone at
work or maybe even someone who lives halfway around the world. Whatever the case, obedience to
the Lord is the only way to handle your fears. When we trust and obey, God has a way of taking care
of our fears. Our orders are clear: Go and tell!
WHEN IT COMES TO GOD’S COMMANDS THE ISSUE IS NOT CLARITY; IT’S
COMMITMENT.
WOODROW KROLL
www.backtothebible.in