The Fight Continues • Esther 8

The king's order authorized the Jews 

in every city to arm and defend themselves 

to the death, killing anyone who threatened them 

or their women and children, and confiscating for 
themselves anything owned by their enemies.

Esther 8:11

•

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, 

and he wants you strong. 

So take everything the Master has set out for you, 

well-made weapons of the best materials. 

And put them to use so you will 

be able to stand up to everything 

the Devil throws your way. 

This is no afternoon athletic contest 

that we'll walk away from 

and forget about in a couple of hours. 

This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish 

against the Devil and all his angels. 

Ephesians 6:10-12

•

On that day they were granted permission
to stand and fight, to take back what had
been taken from them and to defend themselves
and their families.

The battle rages on to this day
not with weapons forged of steel,
not against enemies that bleed when cut.

Enemies who disguise themselves
in cloaks of "good" and "comfortable" while
they whisper enticing lies into our ears
threaten us from every side.

How willingly we at times surrender to these
enemies unseen, chained at wrist and ankle,
following along with blinded eyes.

Truth and Light wash the lies from our eyes and ears,
revealing what was hidden.

Grasping The Word, we begin the fight. With prayers
streaming from our lips we face head on what had
made us cower in fright.

Righteousness and truth surround us as we run forth in
the strength of the Gospel.

Peace flows in rivers around us
as we deflect the fiery arrows with faith.

Salvation is ours as we shout out the truth in faith –
gathering all who will come with us.

Daily we continue our fight
empowered by our victorious Savior.

Fruit Revealed • Esther 7

 

 

Queen Esther answered, 

"If I have found favor in your eyes, 

O King, and if it please the king, 

give me my life, and give my people their lives.

 

Esther 7:3

•

She came asking for life
not only for herself, but for all her people.

He came demanding death,
seeking to destroy a whole people
out of hatred for one man.

Two hearts cultivated in
very different ways.

Revealing what had been planted
deep within their soil.

At "such a time" their fruit came forth
bursting with the truth of who they were.

Life sprung forth from her,
death spewed out from him.

Daily I plant seeds in the
soil of my heart.

Daily I tend the garden of my soul.

The fruit reveals what has been planted;
how I have tended to my garden.

Help me, Father, to plant seeds of life and
to stay connected to the Vine.

Remove the deadly weeds that crowd out life
and produce death.

Help me to choose to feed and tend my garden
with the water of your Word and the Sunshine
of obedience.

Honor... Who? • Esther 6

 

The king asked, "What great honor 

was given to Mordecai for this?"
"Nothing," replied the king's servants 

who were in attendance. 

"Nothing has been done for him." 

 

Esther 6:3

 

"If this Mordecai is in fact a Jew, 

your bad luck has only begun. 

You don't stand a chance against him—

you're as good as ruined." 

 

Esther 6:13

•

Father, You see what I do.

I want them to see,
I want the glory for what I do.

Just a simple word of recognition,
is that too much?

What am I really seeking?

Who am I serving?

What am striving for?

Nothing that I do on my own, for my own glory,
can last.

All that is good and right and lasting within me
comes from You.

You honor those who honor You.
In Your time.

It is not for me to promote myself, to
seek honor for who I am or what I have done.

You see what is deep inside.
You know what is in my heart,
what is driving me to do what I do.

Working for words that float off into the wind
leaves me empty-hearted and empty-handed.

Working for You, for Your glory,
trusting You to work it all out for my good
knowing that You love me
fills me, fulfills me, lets Your glory flow from me.

Change the way I think, Father.
Teach me to do it all for You,
the God who really sees.

He was Pleased with Her • Esther 5

 

When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court,

he was pleased with her 

and held out to her the gold scepter 

that was in his hand. So Esther approached 

and touched the tip of the scepter. 

 

Esther 5:2
•

He was pleased with her.
So he held out the scepter –
the power of life or death
and called her to him.

How different life in the palace
must have been.
Nothing like her Jewish home
tucked away in exile.

So many things to come
between this man and his wife.

So many differences.

So many things that went against
all she ever knew and believed.

And yet, she pleased him.

She found a way to be pleasing to
her husband in the midst of
all the contradictions.

She had no idea such a test
would come.

She held tight to her God
and the people of her God.

And yet, she was pleasing to him.

Patiently, waiting on God,
she moved forward into the unknown.

For Such a Time • Esther 4

 

"If you persist in staying silent at a time like this,

help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews 

from someplace else; but you and your family 

will be wiped out. Who knows? 

Maybe you were made queen 

for just such a time as this." 

 

Esther 4:14

 

 "Go and get all the Jews living in Susa together.

Fast for me. Don't eat or drink for three days, 

either day or night. I and my maids will fast with you.

If you will do this, I'll go to the king, 

even though it's forbidden. If I die, I die." 

 

Esther 4:15-16

•

God's will will be done.
Sometimes He calls me to do something 

very specific, just for me to do.
For such a time....

But I have a choice.
To follow and obey or to stay and 

accept the consequences of disobedience.

His will will be done.

I do not have to walk the road
of obedience alone.

Just as Esther called for the Jews of Susa

to join her and her maids in fasting,
I have surrounding me members of The Body

who can join me in prayer, fasting and encouragement.

Thank You, Father, that what You 

set out to do will be done. 

You are all powerful! You are the mighty God! 

Thank You that You will do 

what You say You will do. 

Thank You for allowing me to be used by You

in the accomplishment of Your will. 

Thank You for the support of The Body,

that I am never alone. 

Help me to remember to share 

what You are doing in my life with others 

and to seek their support as I follow You in obedience.

Hope

With You there is always hope.

Not hope like the world gives – 

Wishful thinking, pipe dreams, name it and claim it, 

pennies in fountains –

My hope is built on nothing less than

You, Jesus, and Your righteousness!

You are the namer of stars – You're their creator, too!

You are the freer of slaves.

You are the healer of all sickness.

You are the builder of mansions.

You are the cleanser of all sin.

You are the giver of live.

Why do I worry?

Why do I bother with doubt 

and self pity?

You are my God!

You are my Savior!

You are my Great High Priest!

You are my Friend.

Stealing Glory • Esther 3

When Haman saw for himself that Mordecai 

didn't bow down and kneel before him, 

he was outraged.

 

Esther 3:5

•

It's not all about me – at all.
My purpose, my reason for being is to glorify You.
When people look at my life
they should not be seeing me and
admiring how wonderful I am,
They should see You in all Your glory
shining through all that I say and do.

Pride rears its ugly head once more.
Its root has not been destroyed.
Half- heartedly I have hacked at it thinking
I was bringing it to an end.
But did I really want to?

"Don't they realize all the time and effort
I put in to this?"

"Can't they see how hard I'm working?"

"Why do I have to do that?"

Like a hungry rag-clad beggar stealing
a roll at a banquet I tuck bits of Your
glory away to keep for myself – hoping
someone will see and throw me a
scrap of praise, a bit of acknowledgment.

In the midst of my tantrum I begin to feel You
start to stroke my hair, rub my shoulder,
draw me into Your embrace.

"Shhh. Shhh." You whisper in my ear.
"You don't have to fight for love or recognition.
I love you. I am here with you. I notice everything you do.
I know every thought in your head and every word that
comes out of your mouth. I knew everything about you
before I laid the foundation of the world!"

"Live for Me. Live in Me. Let My life be yours. 

Don't worry aboutseeking glory or acknowledgment from man. 

I am the One who matters.
Give it all to Me, Christa. Leave it in my capable hands.
You are mine, I have called you by name. 

There is your glory."