June 23, 2006 - Esther 9-10 and Acts 7:1-21
I do not know what you are going through today, but I urge you to take heart, because there is great hope in the Lord. There are so many people who feel hopeless, because they believe they are trapped in an unhappy life. That is never the truth. That is a lie of Satan to make them depressed and defeated. I pray that all of us will realize that God has a wonderful plan for each of us. All we have to do to have true happiness and joy is to give in to His plan and trust Him daily. Let God speak to you about hope as you read these passages today. I know He will encourage your heart.
Esther 9 and 10 tell us about the victory of the Jews over their enemies in the provinces of the Medes and the Persians. It was such a glorious time that they established a holiday of feasting to commemorate God turning their sorrow to joy. (9:22) They call the holiday Purim, and they still celebrate it today. We also read about how Mordecai was elevated to be the second in authority under the king. (10:3) He went from an obscure Jew living outside the king's palace to a place of great respect in the king's palace. What a turn around for him! Do you believe the same thing can happen to you? I am not saying that God wants all of us to be second to the king. I am saying that God has a way to turn your sorrow to joy and to give you a full and meaningful life beyond anything you can imagine, if you will trust Him faithfully.
In Acts 7 we begin reading about Stephen's defense of his faith in Jesus. With great boldness he stands up to the Jewish authorities. He recounts the history of God's people. He shows how God had a plan for the Jewish people. They did not always follow God's plan, so there were a lot of ups and downs, but God was faithful to them. Think of how God blessed Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. In each of their lives God worked several times to bring joy out of sorrow. Can you think back in your own life to times when God brought you out of a tough situation? Can you think about times of hopelessness that were turned around by God's intervention? I hope you can recount those times in your life. If you can't do that, then, today is the day to turn to Him and to allow Him to make something beautiful out of your life. Give Him the heart ache, and He will give you joy. He is faithful, so I can assure you that is what He will do. The key is if you will trust His way and follow Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 1-2 and Acts 7:22-43.
Esther 9 and 10 tell us about the victory of the Jews over their enemies in the provinces of the Medes and the Persians. It was such a glorious time that they established a holiday of feasting to commemorate God turning their sorrow to joy. (9:22) They call the holiday Purim, and they still celebrate it today. We also read about how Mordecai was elevated to be the second in authority under the king. (10:3) He went from an obscure Jew living outside the king's palace to a place of great respect in the king's palace. What a turn around for him! Do you believe the same thing can happen to you? I am not saying that God wants all of us to be second to the king. I am saying that God has a way to turn your sorrow to joy and to give you a full and meaningful life beyond anything you can imagine, if you will trust Him faithfully.
In Acts 7 we begin reading about Stephen's defense of his faith in Jesus. With great boldness he stands up to the Jewish authorities. He recounts the history of God's people. He shows how God had a plan for the Jewish people. They did not always follow God's plan, so there were a lot of ups and downs, but God was faithful to them. Think of how God blessed Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. In each of their lives God worked several times to bring joy out of sorrow. Can you think back in your own life to times when God brought you out of a tough situation? Can you think about times of hopelessness that were turned around by God's intervention? I hope you can recount those times in your life. If you can't do that, then, today is the day to turn to Him and to allow Him to make something beautiful out of your life. Give Him the heart ache, and He will give you joy. He is faithful, so I can assure you that is what He will do. The key is if you will trust His way and follow Him each day.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Job 1-2 and Acts 7:22-43.