And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; (Est 9:20-23)
After the decree from Mordecai, which allowed the Jews to defend themselves, and after the day came which they had to stand against their enemies, Mordecai pronounced a day of feasting and celebration to mark the occasion. The days of Purim forever memorialized the deliverance which God provided to the Jews in Persia and their sorrow as a nation was turned into joy despite their status as subjects of the Persian empire.
Not only is the record of Esther the backstory to the celebration of Purim, but it is the record of God’s continued preservation and providence on behalf of His people. He had not abandoned them when they were in the captivity which He had caused to occur because of their disobedience to Him. To many, the discarding of the Jews would have been understood and expected, but God still has a plan for His people, and is already working things out for them to return to their own land and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.
Seeing God’s hand even in a record which does not reveal Him by name can encourage us to greater faith in our God. We can know and trust that our God is still in control, nothing takes Him by surprise. He is not our cosmic butler or magic genie to clean up our messes or give us all we want in this life, but He is our Father and wants what is best for us. We may experience the circumstances of our choices and that which God allows or directs for our growth in Him but He will never leave us nor forsake us. Whether fire or flood, the Master of the storm will be with us.
Trusting our God who dwells within to provide, protect, and preserve His people, even amid evil events and calamities, we can continue His Work and do His will. We don’t have the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, so we should not fear natural events nor what man may do to us, but work in His might, share His love, and know and believe Him through His Word as long as we are here.
Until He calls us Home, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Not only is the record of Esther the backstory to the celebration of Purim, but it is the record of God’s continued preservation and providence on behalf of His people. He had not abandoned them when they were in the captivity which He had caused to occur because of their disobedience to Him. To many, the discarding of the Jews would have been understood and expected, but God still has a plan for His people, and is already working things out for them to return to their own land and rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.
Seeing God’s hand even in a record which does not reveal Him by name can encourage us to greater faith in our God. We can know and trust that our God is still in control, nothing takes Him by surprise. He is not our cosmic butler or magic genie to clean up our messes or give us all we want in this life, but He is our Father and wants what is best for us. We may experience the circumstances of our choices and that which God allows or directs for our growth in Him but He will never leave us nor forsake us. Whether fire or flood, the Master of the storm will be with us.
Trusting our God who dwells within to provide, protect, and preserve His people, even amid evil events and calamities, we can continue His Work and do His will. We don’t have the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, so we should not fear natural events nor what man may do to us, but work in His might, share His love, and know and believe Him through His Word as long as we are here.
Until He calls us Home, God calls His people to holiness and obedience to Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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