Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message:  “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.

It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.  Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10

Aug 18 You: behind the scenes

Dear Heavenly Father, how unusual that Your name doesn’t even appear in the book of Esther!  However, there is no doubt that all the events were orchestrated by You!

You must have known the evil in the heart of Haman who sought to destroy all Your people throughout the empire.  These were Your people who You had taken into captivity for punishment of their idolatry and sinfulness.  But still, there was mercy in Your action, and You protected them.

Only You could have influenced Queen Vashti to disobey the King, costing her the crown and making way for Esther, a Jew, to move into her place.

Only You could have made the servants and people around Esther so impressed with her and kind to her.

It must have been You who guided Esther to accept the advice of the eunuch in charge of the harem as she went to be presented to the King.

And only You held the heart of this king in Your hand, as he chose her for Queen.

You must have placed Mordecai in the right place at just the right time to hear of the assassination attempt, and timed perfectly his recognition by the king.  And You gave Esther the wisdom to hold the two banquets for Haman and the king, answering the three days of prayer and fasting with success.

Father, with all these people, places, plots, and details in Your control, how can I doubt that You know what is going on in my life?

How can I think that anything would get by You?  There is no way; even if someone plotted to harm or kill me; that it would escape Your notice.   And You would have a plan already in place, to deal with it.  Thank You.

Thank You for Your blessing in my life every day.  Help me see each one as I go through my day: waking, breathing, eating, walking, talking, learning, seeing, working, singing, praising, sharing, loving, resting, sleeping.  Thank You for the peace I can rest in because I trust in You.  In Your plan.  In Your justice.  In Your deliverance.  Forever.  Amen

Esther 1:1-3:15

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message:  “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.

It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.  Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10

Aug 18 You: behind the scenes

Dear Heavenly Father, how unusual that Your name doesn’t even appear in the book of Esther!  However, there is no doubt that all the events were orchestrated by You!

You must have known the evil in the heart of Haman who sought to destroy all Your people throughout the empire.  These were Your people who You had taken into captivity for punishment of their idolatry and sinfulness.  But still, there was mercy in Your action, and You protected them.

Only You could have influenced Queen Vashti to disobey the King, costing her the crown and making way for Esther, a Jew, to move into her place.

Only You could have made the servants and people around Esther so impressed with her and kind to her.

It must have been You who guided Esther to accept the advice of the eunuch in charge of the harem as she went to be presented to the King.

And only You held the heart of this king in Your hand, as he chose her for Queen.

You must have placed Mordecai in the right place at just the right time to hear of the assassination attempt, and timed perfectly his recognition by the king.  And You gave Esther the wisdom to hold the two banquets for Haman and the king, answering the three days of prayer and fasting with success.

Father, with all these people, places, plots, and details in Your control, how can I doubt that You know what is going on in my life?

How can I think that anything would get by You?  There is no way; even if someone plotted to harm or kill me; that it would escape Your notice.   And You would have a plan already in place, to deal with it.  Thank You.

Thank You for Your blessing in my life every day.  Help me see each one as I go through my day: waking, breathing, eating, walking, talking, learning, seeing, working, singing, praising, sharing, loving, resting, sleeping.  Thank You for the peace I can rest in because I trust in You.  In Your plan.  In Your justice.  In Your deliverance.  Forever.  Amen

Esther 1:1-3:15

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.  It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.

Because “Your love reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies, Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep, and Your unfailing love is priceless,” let me and my loved ones “take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Protect us from whatever comes against us, attacking us in any area of our lives: financial, physical, emotional, psychological, relational, spiritual.  I give our finances to You, and place them in the shadow of Your wings.  I offer You our relationships, our emotions, our thoughts, our attitudes.  Father, keep our spirits safe and turned to You alone.

Let me and my loved ones “feast on the abundance of Your house”, let us “drink from Your river of delights.  You are the fountain of life”.  Let us live in this abundant blessing.   Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10; Psalm 36:5-9

Aug 18 You: behind the scenes

Dear Heavenly Father, how unusual that Your name doesn’t even appear in the book of Esther! However, there is no doubt that all the events were orchestrated by You!

You must have known the evil in the heart of Haman who sought to destroy all Your people throughout the empire. These were Your people who You had taken into captivity for punishment of their idolatry and sinfulness. But still, there was mercy in Your action, and You protected them.

Only You could have influenced Queen Vashti to disobey the King, costing her the crown and making way for Esther, a Jew, to move into her place.

Only You could have made the servants and people around Esther so impressed with her and kind to her.

It must have been You who guided Esther to accept the advice of the eunuch in charge of the harem as she went to be presented to the King.

And only You held the heart of this king in Your hand, as he chose her for Queen.

You must have placed Mordecai in the right place at just the right time to hear of the assassination attempt, and timed perfectly his recognition by the king. And You gave Esther the wisdom to hold the two banquets for Haman and the king, answering the three days of prayer and fasting with success.

Father, with all these people, places, plots, and details in Your control, how can I doubt that You know what is going on in my life?

How can I think that anything would get by You? There is no way; even if someone plotted to harm or kill me; that it would escape Your notice. And You would have a plan already in place, to deal with it. Thank You.

Thank You for Your blessing in my life every day. Help me see each one as I go through my day: waking, breathing, eating, walking, talking, learning, seeing, working, singing, praising, sharing, loving, resting, sleeping. Thank You for the peace I can rest in because I trust in You. In Your plan. In Your justice. In Your deliverance. Forever. Amen

Esther 1:1-3:15

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements.  Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people.  He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”

His faith is strong.  He is sure that You will save Your people.  The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me.  The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here.  No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death.  But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle.  And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with.  Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen.

The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did.  But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to.  And give me the courage to act.  It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call.  It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me.  Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power.

Because “Your love reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies, Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep, and Your unfailing love is priceless,” let me and my loved ones “take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Protect us from whatever comes against us, attacking us in any area of our lives: financial, physical, emotional, psychological, relational, spiritual.  I give our finances to You, and place them in the shadow of Your wings.  I offer You our relationships, our emotions, our thoughts, our attitudes.  Father, keep our spirits safe and turned to You alone.

Let me and my loved ones “feast on the abundance of Your house”, let us “drink from Your river of delights.  You are the fountain of life”.  Let us live in this abundant blessing.   Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10; Psalm 36:5-9

Aug 18 Behind the scenes

Dear Heavenly Father, how unusual that Your name doesn’t even appear in the book of Esther!  However, there is no doubt that all the events were orchestrated by You!

You must have known the evil in the heart of Haman who sought to destroy all Your people throughout the empire.  These were Your people who You had taken into captivity for punishment of their idolatry and sinfulness.  But still, there was mercy in Your action, and You protected them.

Only You could have influenced Queen Vashti to disobey the King, costing her the crown and making way for Esther, a Jew, to move into her place.

Only You could have made the servants and people around Esther so impressed with her and kind to her.

It must have been You who guided Esther to accept the advice of the eunuch in charge of the harem as she went to be presented to the King.

And only You held the heart of this king in Your hand, as he chose her for Queen.

You must have placed Mordecai in the right place at just the right time to hear of the assassination attempt, and timed perfectly his recognition by the king.  And You gave Esther the wisdom to hold the two banquets for Haman and the king, answering the three days of prayer and fasting with success.

Father, with all these people, places, plots, and details in Your control, how can I doubt that You know what is going on in my life?

How can I think that anything would get by You?  There is no way; even if someone plotted to harm or kill me; that it would escape Your notice.   And You would have a plan already in place, to deal with it.  Thank You.

So like the psalmist, I agree that You will humiliate and disgrace those who rejoice at my troubles.  You will cover with shame and dishonor any who would seek to triumph over me.  And I will ever say “Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing His servant with peace.”

Thank You for Your blessing in my life every day.  Help me see each one as I go through my day: waking, breathing, eating, walking, talking, learning, seeing, working, singing, praising, sharing, loving, resting, sleeping.  Thank You for the peace I can rest in because I trust in You.  In Your plan.  In Your justice.  In Your deliverance.  Forever.  Amen

Esther 1:1-3:15; Psalm 35:17-28 

Aug 19 Like Esther

Father, here is one of the great faith statements. Mordecai has no doubt that You will save him and his people. He sends this message to Esther “If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your family will perish.”   His faith is strong. He is sure that You will save Your people. The only question is how.

Father, strengthen my faith, so that even in the darkest time, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that You will deliver me. The problems I deal with seem so small compared to the circumstances here. No one has ever marked me and my family or church for death. But I know that the difficulties I face in my life are a concern of Yours as well.

Thank You that there is no problem too big for You to handle. And thank You that there is also no problem too small for You to help me with. Thank You that like Mordecai’s and Esther’s, You answer my prayers as well.

Here is also one of the great challenges in scripture. Mordecai includes in his message: “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”   It is so evident that He believes You orchestrated the events in this time and of Esther becoming queen. The question is, will she rise to be the instrument of deliverance You placed her there to be?

She did. But Lord, will I?

Is there something You have orchestrated in my life that I need to respond to, because You have placed me where I am “for such a time as this”?

Father, open my eyes to see if there is something You are preparing me for, calling me to. And give me the courage to act.

It may not be as big or as risky as Esther’s call. It may only be something small: inviting someone to church, praying with a friend or stranger, reaching out to someone who has no one.

Help me see Lord, where You could use me, how You can use me. Don’t let me do it in my own strength, but like Esther, let me go forward in prayer and in Your power. Amen

Esther 4:1- 7:10

Aug 18 At work behind the scenes

Dear Heavenly Father, how unusual that Your name doesn’t even appear in the book of Esther! However there is no doubt that all the events were orchestrated by You!

You must have known the evil in the heart of Haman who sought to destroy all Your people throughout the empire. These were Your people who You had taken into captivity for punishment of their idolatry and sinfulness. But still, there was mercy in Your action, and You protected them.

Only You could have influenced Queen Vashti to disobey the King, costing her the crown and making way for Esther, a Jew, to move into her place. Only You could have made the servants and people around Esther so impressed with her and kind to her. It must have been You who guided Esther to accept the advice of the eunuch in charge of the harem as she went to be presented to the King. And You held the heart of this king in Your hand, as he chose her for Queen.

You must have placed Mordecai in the right place at just the right time to hear of the assassination attempt, and timed perfectly his recognition by the king. And You gave Esther the wisdom to hold the two banquets for Haman and the king, answering the three days of prayer and fasting with success.

Father, with all these people, places, plots, and details in Your control, how can I doubt that You know what is going on in my life? How can I think that anything would get by You? There is no way; even if someone plotted to harm or kill me; that it would escape Your notice.   And You would have a plan already in place, to deal with it. Thank You.

So like the psalmist, I agree that You will humiliate and disgrace those who rejoice at my troubles. You will cover with shame and dishonor any who would seek to triumph over me. And I will ever say “Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing His servant with peace.”

Thank You for Your blessing in my life every day. Help me see each one as I go through my day: waking, breathing, eating, walking, talking, learning, seeing, working, singing, praising, sharing, loving, resting, sleeping. Thank You for the peace I can rest in because I trust in You. In Your plan. In Your justice. In Your deliverance. Forever. Amen

Esther 1:1-3:15; Psalm 35:17-28