“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, through this year, 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, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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19/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 All day“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19).
Just before fire was unleashed down on Sodom and Gommorah, Lot was told to pack up with his wife and two daughters and leave their homestead. Now, once out of danger, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” ( Gen 19:26). Perhaps here we might pause and ask why she was bothered to look back.
Of course it could have been that old “curiosity killed a cat” mistake! Yet, it could also have been Lot’s wife was not sure where she was going and longed for her old life back. This is a common error. There was nothing stirring to look back. Just before Lot’s neighbors had attacked his house eager to rape his visitors. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” ( vv 5). Was there anything worth looking back to!
The case of Lot’s wife could be anyone else’s experience. The Lord has plucked you out of some mess. You have been delivered to a new life. Yet, somehow you decide to look back, as though there was anything good and worth longing for. Sometimes it is a bitter past you have been delivered from. Other than rejoice in your new blessings you keep being drawn back!
A wise caution goes, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” ( Proverbs 26:11). If the Lord has just led you out of a certain mess why look back like it was much better! Instead look ahead, for “he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” ( vv 17- 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for delivering me from the darkness of the past and I look forward to a bright new future in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
