John 10:10a English Standard Version (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

This is only the first half of John 10:10 and with the hope of continuing on the same thoughts from yesterday’s devotional, let us compare this with 1 Kings 18.

Obadiah feared the Lord but served Ahab. This comes down to the issue of serving two masters.

Matthew 6:24 English Standard Version (ESV) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

In Obadiah’s case it was God and Ahab. He was doing things behind Ahab’s back which would have cost him his life had Ahab found out. Many of us had an observer’s knowledge of God and acted in ways that we hoped would please God but not draw Satan’s attention. When Obadiah changed allegiances in his heart his fear was that Ahab would find out. For us there has to come a time when we commend to God in believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and telling Satan we have changed sides.

Here is the comparison to John 10:10a and 1 Kings 18. God had not revealed His power on Mount Carmel when Obadiah switched allegiances. We come to Christ and have not seen the power of God in our lives, yet. Because of that, as babes in Christ, we fear everything until God reveals Himself in power.

John 10:10b English Standard Version (ESV) I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

This abundant life promise comes with growth in Christ. Babes in Christ only feel the love and nourishment in relationship. They don’t see the protection because they haven’t seen the danger.

We might never see a Mount Carmel moment. We might be asked to act like Elijah for God.

God does not send babies to do a man’s job. Knowing this, does it hinder our growth?