Karma
Day 457, Tuesday, Nov. 11
Obadiah (all)
Karma, in its strictest sense, is a belief in several Indian religions that refers to actions in a person’s current life affecting future reincarnated lives.
As commonly used today, though, it is simply the idea that people often get what they deserve, as in the saying, “what goes around, comes around.”
Obadiah reflects this same kind of belief in verse 15, which says, “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.”
This sounds similar to the words of Jesus in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
The difference between the two, though, is important.
Obadiah’s version of the saying is in the passive voice. It sounds like he is speaking of some future punishment or reward that will be given to a person based on actions. It sounds as though we are passive recipients of some kind of justice.
Jesus puts the same idea into the active voice, suggesting that we actively shape our future through our actions. Jesus transforms it from being a warning to being a promise.
Earlier in Obadiah the prophet is speaking of why the hearer deserves judgement. In verses 10-11 he personifies God’s people as “your brother Jacob” and says, “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.”
In that passage he makes clear that simply standing by while evil happens is not an option; standing by and watching without trying to intervene also incurs guilt.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Tuesday meditation

Psalms 25:1-7
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.
I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.

Prayer focus
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Grant me the courage to act as you would have me act.