Guided By God

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Chapters: Esther 1-5
Message: Guided By God

Hello My Friend,

The Book of Esther was originally written to the Jews who where in Persia (Babylon). The author of the book is unknown, but most likely Mordecai. The timeline for these events took place approximately 464–434 BC. The purpose of the book is to testify to the secret watch and care that God has over 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. “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.

God uses many means to point people to His direction, judgment, sickness, hope, love, death, the list goes on and on, how He gets our attention goes back to the choices we make. If we choose God He will protect us no matter what road we are on. Contrary to what many people believe, our fate is not planned out for us, yes, there are some things destined for us that no one can alter, but we choose the path, and oddly enough, God is the guide. When the Jews were taken captive and brought to Babylon they had no idea what would come of them, as far as they knew God removed them out of His sight. He might have taken them out of Jerusalem, but He still kept an eye on them. God gives us a look into the state of the Jews in Babylon, he uses a young Jewish woman name Hadassah, whose name was changed to Esther to change the fate of the Jews in Babylon. By a strange turn of events, Esther finds herself vying for a chance to become queen, and just by being herself was chosen.

“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. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.” - Esther 2:15-20.

“Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people;” Those who walk with Christ are set apart from everyone else, they do not need to reveal to the world that they are a Christian because they see it. Sadly, many do not know it is Him, but they see something different in them, which is why they become blessed even in the world. Sometimes the path that God takes us makes no sense at all, but we have to trust Him and let Him continue to guide us. “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” - Isaiah 58:11.

After Esther became queen, king Ahasuerus (Artaxerxes) promoted a wicked man named Haman, which gave him the right to enforce the king's commands. Haman was so influential with the king that he expected all the people to bow down to him. However, Mordecai refused, and that gave him ammunition to conspire to get rid of not only him, but all the Jews. He lies to the king and tells him that a group of people were going against his laws and needed to be put to death for it. The king agrees, not knowing that he was talking about the Jews.

“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. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.” - Esther 3:12-15.

“and sealed with the king's ring.” Over the years, especially in our current generation, our countries leaders are being deceived into signing laws that are pretty much trying to kill off God’s people. And as Christians, we are forced to comply with laws that should never even be into existence for the sake of a few egos that are hurt because we will not bow down to them. While we are no longer under the law, and while we are be wise in our decisions, we must never let anyone belittle us for our faith. At one time it use to be, and still is a crime to discriminate against someone over their religion, yet we get persecuted for following Jesus. Stand by your faith, do not bow down to them! We have a right to be here, and no one can force us to break a law from the utmost authority, God. “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.” - Proverbs 29:25,26.

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. Esther put on her royal clothes and went into the kings court, he received her with gladness. All she requested was to have dinner with him and Haman, which the king gladly accepted. That night he asked her what she wanted and all she asked for one more night to feast with the king and Haman. Haman left that day with his head swelled that he was personally invited to dinner with the queen, but was not enough because he wanted Mordecai dead. That is when they had a gallows made for him.

“Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.” - Esther 5:9-14.

“Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart:” When the wicked mess with God’s people their egos are inflated as they think they are the ones in control. The wicked forget one huge thing, God. God may allow His people to be afflicted, but He will never let them be destroyed. Right now, the devil’s ego is inflated, he thinks he is in control, but God is the one who is always in control, and no one will take His people from Him. “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,” - Psalms 95:3-7.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through Esther, who sacrificed her life for her people. Jesus sacrificed His life and died a sinless death to save all who believe in Him from death and hell. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” - Hebrews 9:28.

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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