| Subject: What Happened? |
Author:
Vicky
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Date Posted: 02:53:18 03/03/06 Fri
Good morning ladies. I was in Esther chapter 8 this morning...don't you just love a happy ending? Let's look at this chapter in comparison to some other places in this book and then let's turn our hearts to the book of Psalms for a minute this morning. I love the way the WORD of GOD ties together. I love the way as we flip through the pages and ask the FATHER to write it on our hearts HE will draw us from one place in the WORD to another. HE is so faithful to speak when we come willing to hear. Look at Esther 8:15: Mordecai left the king's presence 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.
Now let's look back to Esther 3:15 &4:1: "...The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered."
When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sack cloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.
Do you see the contrast? Mordecai has gone from sack cloth and ashes to royal garments of blue and white, a crown of gold, and a robe of purple linen. The city of Susa has gone from bewilderment to a joyous celebration. What happened? Let's turn our hearts over to the book of Psalms for a few minutes this morning. Start with Psalm 3:1-3 O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "GOD will not deliver him." BUT YOU are a shield around me, O LORD; YOU bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
I could type this entire Psalm, but verses 1-3 make the point here for me. WHAT HAPPEND? GOD's people were threatened and Mordecai TRUSTED that GOD would deliver them.
Look now at Psalm 33:18-22: But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear HIM, on those whose hope is in HIS unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; HE is our help and our shield. In HIM our hearts rejoice, for we trust in HIS holy name. May YOUR unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in YOU.
WHAT HAPPENED? Rest assured that even as Haman was plotting out his wicked scheme to have the Jews annihilated, GOD was planning the downfall of this wicked man and the protection of HIS people. WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE! We could turn to Psalm 63 and 93 and see more of the same continuity in the WORD this morning. BUT, instead I turn your heart to Psalm 123 and then I close.
I lift my eyes to YOU, to YOUR whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, SO OUR EYES LOOK TO THE LORD OUR GOD, till HE shows us HIS mercy. Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt. We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.
WHAT HAPPENED? Mordecai lifted his eyes to the throne of Heaven.
The principle is clear to me this morning. If you will notice Haman plotted to destroy GOD's people and GOD's people put on their mourning clothes and went before their GOD and asked for mercy. Mordecai lifted his eyes to the KING OF GLORY for his deliverance. Yes, he sent Esther to King Xerxes, but his trust was firmly placed in the KING OF GLORY! I don't believe he ever doubted that GOD would save them. Ladies, I wonder this morning how do we respond in the face of calamity. What Mordecai faced in Esther 3&4 was nothing short of calamity, but his response was one to be noted by all believers for the rest of history. His response in chapter 4 lead to the change of scenery in chapter 8. What a great GOD we serve! Will you take some time this morning and thank HIM for HIS mighty working in your life. HE IS WORKING...even when we can't see it clearly. I am sure that as Haman was sending out the edict to have the Jewish race wiped out of the provinces of King Xerxes they must have wondered, "GOD where ARE YOU?" Have you wondered this? In all honesty ladies, we must admit that we have all asked that question. This morning I encourage you to lift up your eyes unto the hills...YOUR HELP COMES FROM THE LORD, THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!
Have a wonderful day ladies, and a great weekend. Spend some time with YOUR KING...you'll be glad you did.
ONLY and ALWAYS Because of JESUS-
Vicky
Psalm 119:10
PS...I will not be posting next week. I am having surgery on Monday and will be recovering during the week. I will be back posting on Monday 3/13/06.
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