June 21, 2006 - Esther 3-5 and Acts 5:22-42
What are you willing to risk to do God's will? Are you willing to risk your life for the Lord? I hope you would give your life for Jesus, because He was willing to give His life for you. Today, we read about being willing to die for the Lord. It is sobering, but it is important for us, especially in these days in which we live.
In chapters 3-5 Esther had to come to the place that she was willing to be killed by the king in order to save the Jewish people from Haman's plan. The problem was that Haman had the favor of the king, and he used it to get a decree passed that would allow the Jews to be killed in all of the provinces of Persia. Esther could not enter the king's presence without his invitation, or she could be killed. Therefore, she had to ask the people to fast for her so that she might gain favor with the king. Did you notice the odd thing here? The words "God" and "prayer" are not used. We really don't know why they are left out. However, the message comes across loud and clear. God had put Esther in this position to save the Jews, but she had to be willing to put her life on the line to save them.
Acts 5 tells us about the apostles being put in prison for teaching in the name of Jesus. God sends His angel to let them out and to tell them to go back and teach at the Temple. They went knowing that it might be the last thing they did on this earth. When confronted by the leaders, Peter made it clear that they would obey God instead of man. They were let go after Gamaliel's speech, and the rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer. (v.41) They were not just willing to die. They counted it an honor to suffer for Christ. That should be our goal. We should desire to grow in our faith to the point that we can rejoice in persecution for our faith and to be willing to die for Jesus. I hope you will talk to the Lord Jesus about that type of faith today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 6-8 and Acts 6.
In chapters 3-5 Esther had to come to the place that she was willing to be killed by the king in order to save the Jewish people from Haman's plan. The problem was that Haman had the favor of the king, and he used it to get a decree passed that would allow the Jews to be killed in all of the provinces of Persia. Esther could not enter the king's presence without his invitation, or she could be killed. Therefore, she had to ask the people to fast for her so that she might gain favor with the king. Did you notice the odd thing here? The words "God" and "prayer" are not used. We really don't know why they are left out. However, the message comes across loud and clear. God had put Esther in this position to save the Jews, but she had to be willing to put her life on the line to save them.
Acts 5 tells us about the apostles being put in prison for teaching in the name of Jesus. God sends His angel to let them out and to tell them to go back and teach at the Temple. They went knowing that it might be the last thing they did on this earth. When confronted by the leaders, Peter made it clear that they would obey God instead of man. They were let go after Gamaliel's speech, and the rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer. (v.41) They were not just willing to die. They counted it an honor to suffer for Christ. That should be our goal. We should desire to grow in our faith to the point that we can rejoice in persecution for our faith and to be willing to die for Jesus. I hope you will talk to the Lord Jesus about that type of faith today.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Esther 6-8 and Acts 6.