What stood out today: 4:11, 14 For any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned; the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend his gold scepter to him and spare his life. v14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
My response: Jesus, again I am struck by what a different King you are. Xerxes says if anyone comes to him that has not been invited, they will die. You have invited all to come. And if they do come, they get eternal life and if they don’t come, they die.
Abba, you sit on your throne with your righteous arms extended, even Jesus, waiting for undeserving, unrighteous people to come and receive your mercy, your love, your life.
I am also struck by the depth and quality of relationships between Mordecai and Esther, Mordecai and the Jewish people. Esther trusts God with her life: in v 16, she says, “And if I perish, I perish.”
I am struck by the amount of submitting going on in this passage. In 4:2, Mordecai “went only as far as the king’s gate because no one in sackcloth was allowed.” Esther submitted to Mordecai and God and Xerxes by going to Xerxes when not summoned.
Abba, Mordecai and Esther displayed great courage, great faith. I am reminded of the statement, “that we don’t need more faith; we need more knowledge of the object of our faith.” Abba, thank you for revealing more of yourself to me through your scriptures. Thank you for this life that tests and tries our knowledge of you. Thank you that these tests are never to fail us but to show us and grow us, that we would have a faith that is mature and not lacking in anything.
No comments:
Post a Comment