“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” - Isaiah, 43:19 (NIV).
A longtime ago a whole nation of the Jews faced the threat of extermination. A highly placed court official, Haman, had great influence on the king, Xerxes, whom he sought to influence, for his wicked purpose. “If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them” (Esther 3:9) he urged. But there were two obstacles.
First, there was an official linked to the same nation, Mordecai, who, once he heard of the plot, knew he needed to persuade the king against. Fortunately, he had a while ago arranged an orphan girl, a cousin, he had adopted to be married to the king (Esther 2). So he called her and brought the matter to her attention, urging her to use her intimate relationship with the king to persuade him against (Esther 4).
Esther knew that the king was not an easy man. Sometime ago when a Queen, Vashti, had refused his summons, he had banished her ( Esther 1). If someone went into the king’s presence without being summoned he would be put to death ( Esther 4:9). So, before Esther went out to talk to King Xerxes, she sent out a call. “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, I, and my maids, will fast as you do. When it is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4: 15-16).
After, Esther entered the king’s presence. The King’s heart immediately yielded towards her. “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half a kingdom, it will be given you” ( Esther 5:3). Ultimately Herman’s wicked plot was laid bare before the king who then ordered that instead of the Jews he be executed. “So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai” (Esther 7:10).
This story teaches us that even the worst plot against our lives can be frustrated, especially where, in spite of all, we take the matter to God and plead to Him, to turn the tide in our favor. To do this, Esther, took time out, sought and cried to God, who heard her pleas. Perhaps, any of us, faced with an equally pressing matter, we could too, taking after Esther, take time out, cry out to God, and surely a breakthrough will come our way!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, creator of heaven and earth, as 2021 opens, I cry out to you, that no matter the obstacle that stands in my way, you help me break through, and may the glory go to you!
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
