Obsessed

When I mention the word obsessed does anyone come to mind? I immediately think of many types of people I observe on social media. The first group frequently posts critical messages about the political leader or party they detest. No matter what the leader or party does or says, they find fault. They are unreasonable. Other people fanatically follow their favorite athletes or sports teams. They are seasonable. Some are passionate about sharing or reliving photos and stories of their personal or family accomplishments and adventures. They are personable. The fourth type shares spiritual experiences or uplifting messages. They are inspirable. The fifth group regularly shares food recipes, health, weight, or exercise tips, and accomplishments. They are coachable. And then there are the super-obsessed folks who weigh in with all or most of the above, clearly living on social platforms. They are formidable

​Meditation
Job 36:17--Yet now you are obsessed with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have seized you.
 
In the book of Job, Elihu observed that Job was obsessed with wicked people not receiving the judgment or justice they deserved. Of course, after rapidly losing almost everything he possessed, including his children, and suffering horrifically with his health, it should not have surprised Elihu that this righteous man was upset that he was so heavily afflicted when evil people seemed to live problem-free lives. 
            
Obsessed comes from the Hebrew word mālē’ and its most common meanings are: filled, fill, full, be filled, over, wholeheartedly, completed, and covered.[1] What determines whether an obsession is good or bad is the context in which it is tied. For example, to be obsessed with following Jesus is obviously a great thing. Paul said, “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul was obsessed with being Christlike and encouraged us to be the same. 
            
Jesus challenged His countrymen who did not love or understand Him:
Why don’t you understand what I say? Because you cannot listen to My word. You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars. (John 8:43-45). 
Those who opposed Jesus were consumed with wrong desires.
            
What fills us defines us. Our work will one day either be rewarded by God or burned (Romans 6:20,21; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Our thoughts and attitudes will render good fruit or bad fruit (Luke 6:44,45; Galatians 5:19-23). Therefore, we ought to be wise about what we obsess over.  Something to think about . . . in reveration.
 
Inspiration
“Being deeply contented with God in my everyday life is a focused attitude. It is always available. It means practicing letting go of my obsession with how I'm doing.”—John Ortberg
 
©2025 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)

[1] Goodrick, E. W. & Kohlenberger, J. R. (1990). The NIV exhaustive concordance. Zondervan Publishing House.