March 25 Esther the Queen

Esther 9:29-31 Then Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew gave full written authority, confirming this second letter about Purim. 30 Letters were sent to all the Jews, to the 127 provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in words of peace and truth, 31 that these days of Purim should be observed at their appointed seasons, as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther obligated them, and as they had obligated themselves and their offspring, with regard to their fasts and their lamenting. 32 The command of Queen Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.
 
ESTHER has come a long way, hasn’t she? You could look at her journey from a simple to a lavish material life. You can see how she had no authority as a young woman in Persia, but now you can see how she is a very powerful woman. Her journey of biggest change, though, may have been her journey with God.
    We don’t know her level of faith when she was taken to King Ahasuerus’ court. There is no mention of her faith life while she was in the king’s harem. We don’t know if she believed in God and his commands until she called for prayer and fasting at the critical time to save the Jews. But we do know this: Esther has moved spiritually from where she was in Esther 1 to this point here.
    Esther has experienced God. In the midst of terrible trouble, she put her trust in God. She turned in prayer and fasting to the Lord. Then she literally walked forward in very big faith steps to encounter an all-consuming, self-focused king. She continued forward from that encounter to boldly accuse Haman and to plead with the king for the Jews.
    Esther received into her life the power of such Scripture as 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 
    Esther acted for God’s people. God certainly healed her heart to cleanse her of sin. He healed Persia to remove the curse of Haman’s murderous intent. He healed his people’s fear and drew them closer to him. His people are made new through God’s work in Esther.
 
Prayer: Lord God, grow my heart more deeply into you as I experience your saving work over my life and my community. In Jesus’ name, amen.
 
Good Friday Blessing
 
Each day we must stop to praise God for offering to us his heavenly blessings. But with a special heart of blessing, we must stop this Good Friday to praise our Lord Jesus Christ. Today is a day we more acutely recall our Lord’s suffering. We recall his obedience to the Father’s will to step into enemy territory. We remember the Jews’ heinous outcry, “Crucify, crucify him!” (Luke 23:21). We revolt against the account of his lashings. Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. (John 19:1) Our souls writhe in grief as we consider the piercing crown of thorns. “Twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand.” (Matthew 27:29)
    Even more, we hear our Lord’s deep anguish as he cries out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!” (Mark 15:34) And we weep as the world mocks our loving Savior. “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27:40)
    Pause today and consider for a few moments our Lord’s death for your soul. Then praise Jesus he has submitted to the cross, so you have victory over death.
 
Prayer: I praise you Father, Son and Spirit for exchanging Jesus’ holiness for my filthiness. I praise you for confronting the Evil One to save my soul to eternal life with you. In Jesus’ blessed name, amen.