| Subject: Different! |
Author:
Vicky
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Date Posted: 03:19:19 02/24/06 Fri
Good Morning ladies. I have come this morning to the third chapter of Esther. The wicked Haman has been exalted in the Kingdom of Xerxes, and it is about to get ugly for GOD's people. Let's look at verse 8 of this chapter.
Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them."
I was struck by the fact that Haman did not call this "certain people" by their name. He never told King Xerxes that his intent is to destroy the Jewish people living in Xerxes kingdom. Of course at this point in the story there is still much to be revealed, but let's look at exactly what he DID say and what this implies about you and me, GOD's people! Haman lied about the people of GOD. Notice that he specifically sited that this "certain people" do not obey the king's laws. Ladies, this was not true. Haman was angry because he was wicked and wanted to be honored, and perhaps even worshipped. Mordecai, one of GOD's people refused to bow to Haman BECAUSE HIS JEWISH HERITAGE DID NOT ALLOW FOR THIS. Haman decided that he would put an end to this people.
Throughout the course of history many have sought to put an end to GOD's people, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS. The thing I noticed that Haman said about GOD's chosen people that was, in fact, true was this: their customs are different from ALL other people. Haman meant this as an insult, but what a commentary on the lives of GOD's people. Ladies, our lives are to be different. We SHOULD stand in stark contrast to those around us. Not because we are weird, but because our GOD has called us to walk in Holiness with HIM. This WILL make us different from those around us, but what an honor!
Let's look at the last verse in this chapter. "...The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered." Haman believes he has the trump card, he thinks he will get the final word. He now sits down with the king to have a celabratory drink, but notice that the rest of the city is in total bewilderment. I wonder this morning have you ever found yourself bewildered over seeming injustice in your life. Sometimes things will happen in our lives that bring us to the place of bewilderment; but ladies, can I encourage you this morning not to let go. Often times it will appear that the enemy has the upper hand, but rest assured that YOUR GOD IS FAITHFUL. When you have been lied on and falsely accused it is a bewildering experience, but as GOD's people we are to continue to live lives that honor HIM. We are to be different. We are to walk differently, talk differently, think differently. Ladies, everything about our lives should suggest that WE ARE, INDEED, DIFFERENT FROM THIS WORLD. This will at times cause folks to gawk at us and say hurtful things about us.
So, let's boil this down. Haman lied about Mordecai and his people in order to have them destroyed. That sounds familiar. The enemy will stop at nothing to have GOD's people destroyed, but the problem is this: The enemy has no power over GOD and he cannot win this battle. HE is a defeated foe. Haman does not realize that one of those he wishes to destroy is the queen. He does not realize what he has just plummeted himself into. But let's not get ahead of the story.
Isn't it cool when GOD has already handled the necessary steps in order to move in a mighty way. Remember that Esther has been chosen as Queen.
I hope that whatever you are facing today you will realize that GOD has not abandoned you. What we are going to see as we continue through this book is that our GOD is faithful to HIS people. I would like to encourage you today to live a different kind of life. Walk with the FATHER this weekend. Be different for the glory of GOD. Rest in HIM when you feel bewildered. Go back over the weekend and read through this book. It is relatively short; It shouldn't take too long. As you read through it ask GOD to write it on your heart, to etch it onto the walls of your mind, and to weave it into the fabric of your life. Ask HIM to teach you what ONLY HE could teach you.
Have a wonderful weekend! Know that I have lifted you this morning to the throne of GOD's AWESOME GRACE!
ONLY and ALWAYS Because of JESUS-
Vicky
Psalm 119:10
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