Date:
Sunday,
May 24, 2015
Chapters: Esther 1-5
Message Title: Surrendering To God
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Esther is the seventeenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Mordecai and it was originally written to the Jews who where in Persia (Babylon). The timeline for these events took place approximately 521 BC to 509 BC. The purpose of the book was to continue showing the history of the Jews in captivity and to recount the divine care God has for His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from the book is that God uses all people to serve Him in some way, but prepares His people to be witnesses and blessings to others in similar circumstances. “For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” - Esther 10:3.
Surrendering one's life to serve God can be challenging at times, battles will come and go to test our faith in Him. We may have to serve Him in some uncomfortable or what seems like strange ways, but one day everything we do to serve God will pay off in a great way. Ahasuerus was in search of a new queen, he sent for young virgin women all throughout the nation, and a Jewish woman named Esther was one of them. Esther was born into captivity, an orphan raised by her uncle Mordecai. The king unaware of her being a Jew, fell in love with Esther and made her his queen.
“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.” - Esther 2:15-18.
Esther won the kings favor simply by being herself, while all the other women dressed themselves to entice the king, Esther remained modest, presenting herself as a woman of moral character. Esther found herself in a situation over which she had no control, she could only trust God for direction and protection. We should never doubt that God is in ultimate control to protect us and provide for His people, He never makes a mistake where He takes us, He is never partial, and never overlooks one of His children. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13.
After Esther became queen, king Ahasuerus promoted a wicked man named Haman, which gave him the right to enforce the king's command. Haman had become so influential with the king that the people began bowing down to him as though he were king. However, Mordecai refused, and when he refused to bow down, Haman was determined to use his authority to destroy Mordecai and all Jews in the kingdom. He deceitfully convinced the king to destroy a group of people who were not following the orders of the king.
“And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.” - Esther 3:8-10,12,13.
Like Mordecai, we must not bow down to the Haman's of this world who seek to destroy our loyalty to Christ. As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ and should maintain a dignity in our daily conduct and in conversation that honors our Lord. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
After learning of the decree Queen Esther came up with a plan to expose Haman to the king, even if that meant she would lose her life. She encourages the Jews to fast and pray for three days, and then she would approach the king, even if that meant she would die for it. “When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:1,5-7,15,16.
The king not only welcomed Esther, he said he would give her anything he asked and would also give it to half of the kingdom. Amazingly, God is the same way with all of His people. He will bless anyone who humbly goes before Him in prayer and will do even more when we put other things before Him. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.
Today's Prayer: God, It seems like the more I try to live my life in Your will the more opposition I face. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to withstand this opposition and strengthen me to be able to keep going for Your glory. I know that whatever I go through as long as I look to You I will see victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Chapters: Esther 1-5
Message Title: Surrendering To God
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Esther is the seventeenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Mordecai and it was originally written to the Jews who where in Persia (Babylon). The timeline for these events took place approximately 521 BC to 509 BC. The purpose of the book was to continue showing the history of the Jews in captivity and to recount the divine care God has for His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from the book is that God uses all people to serve Him in some way, but prepares His people to be witnesses and blessings to others in similar circumstances. “For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” - Esther 10:3.
Surrendering one's life to serve God can be challenging at times, battles will come and go to test our faith in Him. We may have to serve Him in some uncomfortable or what seems like strange ways, but one day everything we do to serve God will pay off in a great way. Ahasuerus was in search of a new queen, he sent for young virgin women all throughout the nation, and a Jewish woman named Esther was one of them. Esther was born into captivity, an orphan raised by her uncle Mordecai. The king unaware of her being a Jew, fell in love with Esther and made her his queen.
“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.” - Esther 2:15-18.
Esther won the kings favor simply by being herself, while all the other women dressed themselves to entice the king, Esther remained modest, presenting herself as a woman of moral character. Esther found herself in a situation over which she had no control, she could only trust God for direction and protection. We should never doubt that God is in ultimate control to protect us and provide for His people, He never makes a mistake where He takes us, He is never partial, and never overlooks one of His children. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” - Jeremiah 29:11-13.
After Esther became queen, king Ahasuerus promoted a wicked man named Haman, which gave him the right to enforce the king's command. Haman had become so influential with the king that the people began bowing down to him as though he were king. However, Mordecai refused, and when he refused to bow down, Haman was determined to use his authority to destroy Mordecai and all Jews in the kingdom. He deceitfully convinced the king to destroy a group of people who were not following the orders of the king.
“And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.” - Esther 3:8-10,12,13.
Like Mordecai, we must not bow down to the Haman's of this world who seek to destroy our loyalty to Christ. As Christians, we are ambassadors for Christ and should maintain a dignity in our daily conduct and in conversation that honors our Lord. “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
After learning of the decree Queen Esther came up with a plan to expose Haman to the king, even if that meant she would lose her life. She encourages the Jews to fast and pray for three days, and then she would approach the king, even if that meant she would die for it. “When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:1,5-7,15,16.
The king not only welcomed Esther, he said he would give her anything he asked and would also give it to half of the kingdom. Amazingly, God is the same way with all of His people. He will bless anyone who humbly goes before Him in prayer and will do even more when we put other things before Him. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.
Today's Prayer: God, It seems like the more I try to live my life in Your will the more opposition I face. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to withstand this opposition and strengthen me to be able to keep going for Your glory. I know that whatever I go through as long as I look to You I will see victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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