“When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness, and honor.” [1]
The enemy plotted to destroy Mordecai and his people, but the Lord foiled the enemy’s plan. Mordecai was promoted not destroyed. This story is a metaphor for those who believe in Christ. When death comes knocking at our door, it will not destroy us. Our Lord will use what the enemy plotted to destroy us, to promote us to glory. We will receive new garments in heaven and experience eternal happiness, joy, gladness, and honor.
The Lord gave Mordecai a wonderful life after his enemy was destroyed.
“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” [2]
I especially like what the Lord gave Mordecai to do with his new life. He worked for the good of his people and became an advocate for them.
“Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for dying on the cross for us. Thank You for rising from the dead on the third day. Thank You for making Your victory our victory. Now, death is swallowed by victory. The day that was determined by the enemy for our destruction has become a day of promotion for us. Praise be to Your Holy Name. Amen!”
[1] Esther 8:15-16
[2] Esther 10:3
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Bringing God Glory While Serving Others
“When Haman entered, the king asked him, ‘What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?’ Now Haman thought to himself, ‘Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?’ ‘Go at once,’ the king commanded Haman. ‘Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.’ So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’
Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh, his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, ‘Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!’” [1]
Jesus taught His disciples, saying, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” [2]
Haman pursued his own glory and pleasure. He was self-serving. He was ready to destroy an entire race of people because one man from among them would not bow down to him.
Mordecai gave God glory and served people. He prioritized making life better for others. He respected his king. He sheltered and protected his cousin when she (Esther) was an orphan.
God Almighty honors those who honor Him and prioritize making life better for others.
“Heavenly Father, please help us to bring You glory daily, and make life better for the people around us. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Esther 6:6, 10-13
[2] Mark 9:35
Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh, his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, ‘Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!’” [1]
Jesus taught His disciples, saying, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” [2]
Haman pursued his own glory and pleasure. He was self-serving. He was ready to destroy an entire race of people because one man from among them would not bow down to him.
Mordecai gave God glory and served people. He prioritized making life better for others. He respected his king. He sheltered and protected his cousin when she (Esther) was an orphan.
God Almighty honors those who honor Him and prioritize making life better for others.
“Heavenly Father, please help us to bring You glory daily, and make life better for the people around us. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Esther 6:6, 10-13
[2] Mark 9:35
Friday, July 29, 2016
Faith in Christ Saves Us ~ Hallelujah!
Faith in the merits of Christ; not faith in our own merits.
“What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed. He was fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. This was credited to him as righteousness. The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He (JESUS) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
Romans 4:3-5, 18, 21-25
“What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed. He was fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. This was credited to him as righteousness. The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He (JESUS) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
Romans 4:3-5, 18, 21-25
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Thanks Be To God For Answered Prayer
“Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.” [1]
Esther knew that Mordecai was looking out for her best interests. He had raised her in the absence of her parents. So, though she was a queen of the ruling empire of the world, she still regarded Mordecai’s instructions. Little did they know at the time that God was going use them to save their race from genocide.
“Having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.” [2]
A powerful and influential government official demonized an entire race of people due to his hatred of Mordecai. The future looked very bleak for his race. Mordecai and Esther turned to the Lord. They fasted and prayed. They asked others to do the same. The Lord’s answer to their prayers far exceeded all expectations. They lived. The government official died. Their race was spared. Those who plotted their death were executed. Mordecai inherited the powerful and influential leader’s position and his property. The designated day for his race’s destruction turned out to be a day of celebration for them. Thanks be to God for answered prayer!
[1] Esther 2:20
[2] Esther 3:6
Esther knew that Mordecai was looking out for her best interests. He had raised her in the absence of her parents. So, though she was a queen of the ruling empire of the world, she still regarded Mordecai’s instructions. Little did they know at the time that God was going use them to save their race from genocide.
“Having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.” [2]
A powerful and influential government official demonized an entire race of people due to his hatred of Mordecai. The future looked very bleak for his race. Mordecai and Esther turned to the Lord. They fasted and prayed. They asked others to do the same. The Lord’s answer to their prayers far exceeded all expectations. They lived. The government official died. Their race was spared. Those who plotted their death were executed. Mordecai inherited the powerful and influential leader’s position and his property. The designated day for his race’s destruction turned out to be a day of celebration for them. Thanks be to God for answered prayer!
[1] Esther 2:20
[2] Esther 3:6
Friday, July 15, 2016
Blessed Are The Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” [1]
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” [2]
Since Christ broke down the middle wall between us and God, He can break down the walls that divides us people. Let us trust in Christ to bring us together.
“The Lord will lead forth His people with joy and His chosen with singing.” [3]
Let us trust Christ for songs of joy to sing as we go forward.
[1] Matthew 5:9
[2] Ephesians 2:14-16
[3] Psalm 105:43
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” [2]
Since Christ broke down the middle wall between us and God, He can break down the walls that divides us people. Let us trust in Christ to bring us together.
“The Lord will lead forth His people with joy and His chosen with singing.” [3]
Let us trust Christ for songs of joy to sing as we go forward.
[1] Matthew 5:9
[2] Ephesians 2:14-16
[3] Psalm 105:43
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Truth-Tellers
He was not appreciated by his wayward king. He was ignored by those who preferred to stray. Nevertheless, Zechariah faithfully called government and people to acknowledge and obey the Lord.
“Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to Him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, ‘This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has forsaken you.’
But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, ‘May the Lord see this and call you to account.’” [1]
“Heavenly Father, You have graciously granted us people who lay down their lives to protect us. Please also continue to grant us truth-tellers. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.”
Jesus Christ told Pilate, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” [2]
[1] 2 Chronicles 24:19-22
[2] John 18:37
“Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to Him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, ‘This is what God says: Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has forsaken you.’
But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, ‘May the Lord see this and call you to account.’” [1]
“Heavenly Father, You have graciously granted us people who lay down their lives to protect us. Please also continue to grant us truth-tellers. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.”
Jesus Christ told Pilate, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” [2]
[1] 2 Chronicles 24:19-22
[2] John 18:37
Friday, July 8, 2016
Winning Wars with Worship
“This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” [1]
“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.’ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” [2]
King Jehoshaphat won a war with worship unto God. He appointed to sing to the Lord. They praised the Lord. They gave thanks to the Lord. The Lord won the battle for them.
But the worship did not end after the enemy was defeated.
“On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day. Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps, lyres, and trumpets.” [3]
They continued to praise the Lord for four days after the victory. They were filled with joy. They broke out their string instruments and horns and worshipped the Lord some more.
A good example for us.
[1] 2 Chronicles 20:15
[2] 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
[3] 2 Chronicles 20:26-28
“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever.’ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” [2]
King Jehoshaphat won a war with worship unto God. He appointed to sing to the Lord. They praised the Lord. They gave thanks to the Lord. The Lord won the battle for them.
But the worship did not end after the enemy was defeated.
“On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day. Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps, lyres, and trumpets.” [3]
They continued to praise the Lord for four days after the victory. They were filled with joy. They broke out their string instruments and horns and worshipped the Lord some more.
A good example for us.
[1] 2 Chronicles 20:15
[2] 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
[3] 2 Chronicles 20:26-28
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