Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 10-13; John 8:12-59; 2 Timothy 2

Nehemiah, now the governor of Judah, led the rest of the people in an oath to God. They had separated themselves from the pagan influences in their lives and their desire was to obey the law God had given Moses. They promised to carefully follow all of the commands, regulations and decrees of God — the One whom they were intentionally recognizing as their Lord. They made these promises:
1. Not to let their children marry pagan spouses
2. To honor the Sabbath
3. To pay a Temple tax in order to reestablish the work of the church
4. To create an active schedule for the priests
5. To bring the first part of every harvest to the Lord (tithe)
6. To never again neglect the Temple of their God

THEY WERE READY TO DO CHURCH!!!

They were ready for a new season in their life. They were ready to cast out the old ways of neglecting the church and ignoring God, and instead actively serve God and make the Temple the center of their culture or way of life. The leaders of Judah would live in Jerusalem and a tenth of the people would be chosen by sacred lots to establish their home within the walls of the city, while the rest of the people would establish their homes outside of the walls.

Nehemiah called for a dedication of the completed wall around Jerusalem. The ceremony included singers and instruments, while the leaders stood on top of the wall and gave thanks by forming two large choirs. There were cymbals, harps, lyres & trumpets being played as one choir headed south along the wall and the other headed north. Led by Ezra, they walked around the city and then met together at the Temple, playing and singing loudly.

Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away. – Nehemiah 12:43

THEY WERE READY TO WORSHIP GOD!

God’s people were reestablishing a new life in Jerusalem that centered around the life of the church. They brought their tithes and took joy in the work of the priests and Levites. They brought back the custom of having choir directors to lead the choirs in hymns of praise and thanksgiving, just as they had done long ago. The book of Moses was read and those who were enemies of God were sent away.

God’s people were in a good place. They were worshiping Him and passionate about the work of the church. But, as we have seen over and over again throughout the Old Testament, the celebration did not last long before the fickle hearts of the Israelites were once again distracted.

Nehemiah returned to the king of Babylon for a time and then made his way back to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he found that the people had carelessly allowed sin back into the church, and many of the Levites had returned to their work in the fields instead of working for the church. The people were working on the Sabbath and some had begun to marry foreign wives again.

“Wasn’t this exactly what led King Solomon of Israel into sin?” I demanded. “There was no king from any nation who could compare to him, and God loved him and made him king over all Israel. But even he was led into sin by his foreign wives. How could you even think of committing this sinful deed and acting unfaithfully toward God by marrying foreign women?” – Nehemiah 13:26-27

This passage is a good reminder to us of how we grieve the heart of God when we make promises to follow and obey Him only to go back to our past behaviors or sinful habits. It is good for us to go through a time of repentance and celebration of our salvation, but we must stay in that place. We must remain faithful to the God who asked us not to do some things and then commanded us to do other things.

May we remain genuine in our desire to serve God and consistent in living out our walk with Him. May we remain in a place of celebration and joy. Lord, give us a love for your church and a passion for the work of the church so that you can be glorified through our worship of you and through the living out of our faith. Help us to follow you with a growing passion and loyal obedience. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Esther 8-10; Psalm 56

After Esther’s second banquet, life changed drastically for both Esther and Mordecai. On that same day, King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, which she handed over to Mordecai. When the king learned how Mordecai was related to Esther, Mordecai was brought into the presence of the king and given his signet ring.

But none of this mattered if the Jewish people were still scheduled for annihilation. Esther fell at the king’s feet in tears, begging him to put an end to the evil which Haman had set into motion. Once more, the king extended the gold scepter to Esther. The Lord was giving her favor with the one who had the authority to change the course of history.

King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” – Esther 8:7-8

The king could not undo what he had sealed into being, but he could give Mordecai the authority to come up with a solution. The royal secretaries gathered around to write out all of the orders spoken by Mordecai. The orders were written in every language so that Jews and Gentiles together could understand the plan, and they were transported on horseback to all 127 provinces. And here was the plan:

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, every Jew in every city was given the right to assemble and protect themselves; they could destroy and kill any armed men who attacked them or their families. Then they could plunder the property of those who tried to kill them. The Jews were essentially given the right to fight back — to avenge themselves against their enemies.

Mordecai had entered the palace that day as a commoner; now he was walking out dressed in royal garments of blue and white. A large crown of gold sat on his head and he was clothed in a purple robe of fine linen. The city of Susa erupted in celebration! Their relief was cloaked in happiness, joy and gladness as they feasted together. Scripture says that many people of other nationalities joined the Jewish faith out of fear (8:17).

The Lord was doing IMMEASURABLY MORE than anyone could have imagined! On the same day, the Jewish people went from a death sentence to a powerful force to be reckoned with. The Jews now had the upper hand as even the nobles, satraps, governors, and administrators joined forces with the Jews. Why? Because they now feared Mordecai, the simple man who went from sitting at the palace gate to holding a prominent place in the palace.

On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the Jews struck down their enemies, but they did not plunder their goods. The king turned to Queen Esther and invited her to make another request. She asked for the king to extend permission for one more day, for there were more enemies to conquer in Susa. Her wish was granted, and a celebration broke out across all the provinces.

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. – Esther 9:20-22

Although the book of Esther does not mention Him, the Lord is the main character of this story. He was never unaware of what was happening to His people, and He was never without a plan to rescue them. In the same way, we can be confident that God is actively moving in our situations. He is aware of what we are facing and knows what we are feeling. And perhaps he is calling us to be a part of the solution; perhaps He has positioned us for such a time as this. Let’s trust the Lord to give us the wisdom and courage to do what He is asking us to do.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.” – Isaiah 49:15-16

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!
I praise God for what he has promised;
yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light. – Psalm 56:8-13

Today’s Reading: Esther 5-7; Hebrews 11

On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” – Esther 5:1-3

That, my friends, is an answer to prayer! Esther dared to believe that the Lord would be with her if she stepped out in faith; she found the courage to put her life at risk in order to have a conversation with the king. Knowing that there were many believers fasting for her during that moment gave her the strength to enter into a space she had not been invited into. And God was faithful to answer those prayers by granting her favor with the one who had the authority to sentence her to death.

Esther had prepared a banquet not only for the king but also for Haman. After dinner, as they were drinking some wine, King Xerxes gave Esther the opportunity to voice her petition so that he could grant her wish up to half the kingdom. Esther requested that both the king and Haman return the next day for a second banquet, at which time she would make her petition known.

Whether Esther’s plan for a second banquet was due to fear or part of a wisely calculated plan, the events that happened between the two banquets played a pivotal role in the outcome of this story. This is a great reminder that God’s timing is always perfect, even when it doesn’t initially make sense to us.

I imagine that Haman left the banquet with a smile on his face and his head held high. He was feeling pretty good about himself, but his pride was soon challenged when he passed by Mordecai at the king’s gate. Mordecai did not stand to honor Haman, nor did he show fear in Haman’s presence like everyone else did. Scripture tells us that Haman’s mood went from joy to rage as he made his way home (5:9).

When he told his family and friends about the honor bestowed on him by Esther’s invitation for not just one but two consecutive banquets, he also told them how Mordecai’s disrespect was clouding this joyous moment for him. In response, his wife suggested Haman erect a pole (75-feet tall) with the plan to ask the king to have Mordecai impaled the next day. But while Haman was carrying out his plan for evil, God was at work in the palace.

King Xerxes was unable to sleep that night so he ordered that the record of his reign be brought in and read to him. Included in this recounting of his time as king was how Mordecai had exposed a plot to assassinate the king. When he realized that Mordecai had never been properly honored for the role he played in saving the king’s life, he decided that oversight would be corrected immediately.

When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”
Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’” – Esther 6:6-9

PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL (Proverbs 16:18).

Imagine the look on Haman’s face when he realized that this honor be bestowed on Mordecai, and that he would be assigned the task of leading the procession. The words he had created to bring himself honor must have stung his ears as he had to declare over and over again, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

When he rushed home in humiliation and grief, his wife and advisors pointed out that he would never be able to successfully stand against Mordecai or the Jewish people. Before he could respond, he was whisked away to the queen’s banquet. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther to make her petition known.

Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” – Esther 7:3-4

When the king found out that it was Haman who had put Esther’s life in danger, and that he himself had been tricked into playing a role, he stormed out of the room into the palace garden. Knowing his fate, Haman threw himself down on the couch where Esther was reclining and begged her to spare his life. When the king returned to find Haman in this position, he ordered Haman be impaled on the pole that Haman had set up for Mordecai (7:9).

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

What is the Lord asking you to do that requires courage? At times the Lord strategically positions us to be used by Him in the life of another person or in a situation that would impact many lives. He is calling us to step out in faith, and sometimes faith takes courage. May the Lord give you wisdom, surrounding you with a community of believers who will lift you up in prayer and join you in fasting for the Lord’s provision and protection. Perhaps God has brought you to this moment “for such a time as this”.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

Today’s Reading: Joel 2-3; Matthew 24:1-25:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 23-28

The day of the Lord is near,
the day when destruction comes from the Almighty.
How terrible that day will be! – Joel 1:5

Sound the trumpet in Jerusalem!
Raise the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let everyone tremble in fear
because the day of the Lord is upon us.
It is a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of thick clouds and deep blackness.
Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains,
a great and mighty army appears.
Nothing like it has been seen before
or will ever be seen again…
The Lord is at the head of the column.
He leads them with a shout.
This is his mighty army,
and they follow his orders.
The day of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing.
Who can possibly survive? – Joel 2:1-2,11

Joel prophesied about the Day of the Lord, describing it as terrible. The army will march in and the people will run in fear. The sun will stop shining and the stars will burn out. The Lord and His army will come to confront the evil in this world, defeating the enemy and saving the world.

“The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?” – Joel 2:11

But more powerful than the judgment that is coming is the mercy and love of our God. He is calling HIs people to repentance. He longs to send them a blessing instead of a curse.

That is why the Lord says,
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish. – Joel 2:12-13

“Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.” – Joel 2:28-29

We serve a God of grace. When we come to him in sincere repentance, genuinely living for Him and submitting to His lordship, we experience His unmerited favor.

We serve a God of compassion. He not not only forgives us, but He also gives us His Spirit to dwell within us. This presence transforms us into the people He created us to be.

We serve a God of mercy. And where there is mercy, hope can be found. Our God is gracious and compassionate, full of mercy and love.

We serve a holy God. He sees the devastation that sin is wreaking in this world, and He will come one day to bring judgment. He will right all wrongs and renew His covenant with all of creation. Praise God, restoration will come after the judgment. He will reign in this world and in our hearts.

Lord, we thank you for this reminder of your very nature — that you are a God of grace, a God of compassion, and a God of mercy. We recognize your holiness and declare that you are good! You are greater than the evil that is so predominant in this world, and the story of your victory has already been written. Thank you for renewing us when we come to you in repentance, not just with a willingness to restore us but with a longing to extend mercy to sinners. Thank you for the gift of your spirit that daily guides us and transforms us, empowering us to walk in obedience to your Lordship.

Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
The sun and moon will grow dark,
and the stars will no longer shine.
The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem,
and the heavens and the earth will shake.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
a strong fortress for the people of Israel. – Joel 3:14-16

Today’s Reading: Joel 1; Acts 25-26

Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. – Joel 1:3

This hard time that you are going through, this time of loss and mourning over what you used to have, pay attention, for this is a time you need to tell your children about and they need to tell their children. For generations, your children will have these stories to share with their children — times when the Lord has provided and brought you out of the valley of trouble. These stories of God’s provision will provide a gateway of hope for future generations, when they find themselves going through a difficult time (Hosea 2:15).

REMEMBER HIS FAITHFULNESS AND PASS THE STORIES DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

The grapevines have dried up, and the fig trees have withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees – all the fruit trees – have dried up. And the people’s joy has dried up with them. – Joel 1:12

At times, everything that has sustained you and all that has given you pleasure will be taken from you. It will dry up and with it your joy. You will begin to wonder, “Is God really a merciful and loving God? Am I being punished for something?” God responds to your need for answers and confirms His identity to you. He instructs you on how to respond to this difficult time — this time of uncertainty.

Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to him there. – Joel 1:14

This is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of a curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before. – Joel 2:12-14

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged, BUT I WILL REMEMBER YOU…
each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. – Psalm 42:5-8

God confirms who He is. Look back at all He has done for you over the years. Remember His faithfulness to you and know with confidence that He has more blessings to pour into your life.

REMEMBER HIS FAITHFULNESS AND PASS THE STORIES DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

Surely the Lord has done great things! Don’t be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things. Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field, for the wilderness pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with fruit; fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more. Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. The threshing floor will again be piled high with grain, and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil.

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. Once again you will have all the food you want and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. – Joel 2:20b-26a

REMEMBER HIS FAITHFULNESS AND PASS THE STORIES DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

God is in the middle of all of this. None of this has caught Him by surprise. Trust that He has great plans for your future; believe that your joy will not be dry forever but that you will rejoice again in how your God has provided during a difficult time. You will have a story of God’s provision and His redemption to tell your children and your children’s children.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will SHARE THE STORY of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness. – Psalm 145:4-7

REMEMBER HIS FAITHFULNESS AND PASS THE STORIES DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 9

Let’s circle back this morning to Nehemiah’s prayer in chapter nine. This powerful prayer had beautiful elements of praise and worship woven in with strands of confession, testimonies of God’s provision, and full surrender to God. What a great example for us! Let’s pray a similar prayer together as we saturate ourselves in God’s presence to start our day.

Lord, we worship your name together — the name that deserves all of the glory and praise! May your name be exalted above all blessings and praise. No other word holds the same power than your name. You alone are Lord!

WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP YOU!

You are the magnificent Creator of the skies, the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth, from land to sea and everything in it. And not only are you the Creator of all, you are the One who sustains creation. The angels of heaven worship you and so do we, for you have done everything you ever promised you would do. You are consistently true to your word and we can trust you.

We thank you for the opportunity to review our story once more so that we can find you faithful then, just as you are faithful now. Throughout our lives, you have heard our cries for mercy. Over and over again, you have answered our prayers and shown up for us. We are unworthy of your attention and love.

Just as the Israelites cried out to you for help as they stood beside the Red Sea, we stand in the reality of our current circumstances and ask for you to part the waters on our behalf. Just as you have displayed your power through miraculous signs and wonders, we ask that you provide dry land for us as we step out in faith. Lead us each step of the way, just as you led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night.

WE RECOGNIZE YOUR GENEROSITY AND BLESSINGS ALL AROUND US.

God, we thank you for the instructions you have given us. Thank you for your Holy Word that daily teaches us your ways, instructing us in how we should live in obedience and holiness. We surrender our desires to the desires of your heart; we lay aside our will in order that your will may be done. Just as you commanded Moses to follow your commands, we look to you to guide us and teach us your ways.

As we have read through the Old Testament this year, you have reminded us that you will provide for us just as you provided bread from heaven. When we are hungry, you will feed us; when we are thirsty, you will provide “water from the rock”. When our enemy throws us in “the lion’s den”, you will give us the courage to fall on our knees and pray. When the giant in front of us mocks our faith, we will stand strong in our faith. You have laid out your plans for our lives, and we want to take possession of the life you have marked out for us.

WE CONFESS WE HAVE BEEN PROUD AND STUBBORN.

There have been moments in our lives when we have paid very little attention to the commands found in the Bible. We have been selfish and proud, stubbornly wanting our own way instead of fully surrendering to yours.

But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. – Nehemiah 9:17b

You have never abandoned us, even when we put other people or things ahead of you. In your great mercy, you have spared our lives even when we deserved death. You have surrounded us with loved ones and blessed us with a community of faith.

REMEMBER THE GRACE YOU HAVE SHOWN OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

When the Israelites took possession of the land you had promised them, you went ahead of them. You fought their battles and equipped them to capture fortified cities and fertile land. You filled their pockets with good things, providing them with wells that had already been dug out, vineyards that had already been planted, and trees that already bore fruit. They ate until they were full; they grew fat on your blessings.

In spite of your generosity and protection, they chose disobedience and rebellion. When they made a mess of things and found themselves drowning in trouble, they cried out to you and you listened. In your great mercy, you freed them from their enemies.

YOU ARE THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES.

You are a patient God. We are undeserving of the grace and mercy you so generously display on our behalf. You have shown your goodness to us time and time again, and we confess we have been fickle and wavered in our faith. Yet you hear our cries of confession and willingly forgive us of our sins.

“In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing…” – Nehemiah 9:38

We take this moment to recommit our hearts to you once more. We are grateful for the opportunity to live in a covenant relationship with you, and we declare our love for you today. You are Lord and we place ourselves in the palm of your hand once more. Guide us, teach us, show us, lead us. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 8-9, Psalm 107 & 135

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. – Psalm 107:1-2

It is important for us to take time to think through our story and be prepared to tell it as it fits into God’s greater story. What is your before and what is your after? What journey has God brought you on and how does that affect the way you live your life today?

HAS THE LORD REDEEMED YOU? THEN TELL YOUR STORY!

Over and over again in the Old Testament, a prophet would gather the people of Israel together and review their story once more. This was often at a time of confession and repentance — a time of re-entering a covenant with God. Nehemiah retold the story of God’s people in a beautiful way in chapter nine, reminding us today of how wonderful and full of grace God is. Nehemiah reminded God’s people of where pride and stubborn hearts had led them in previous years; how God had forgiven them time and time again, providing for them and blessing them abundantly.

“May your glorious name be praised! May it be exalted above all blessing and praise! You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you…And you have done what you promised, for you are always true to your word.

“You saw the misery of our ancestors in Egypt and you heard their cries from beside the Red Sea. You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharoah…You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten. You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land!…You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night so that they could find their way.

“You came down at Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and instructions…And you commanded them, through Moses your servant, to obey all your commands, decrees and instructions.

“You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water from the rock when they were thirsty. You commanded them to go and take possession of the land you had sworn to give them.

“But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands…But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, even when they made an idol shaped like a calf…In your great mercy, you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness…You made their descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and brought them into the land you had promised their ancestors.

“They went in and took possession of the land. You subdued whole nations before them…Our ancestors captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, with cisterns already dug and vineyards and olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate until they were full and grew fat and enjoyed themselves in all your blessings.

“But DESPITE ALL THIS, they were disobedient and rebelled against the Lord…But in their time of trouble they cried out to you, and you heard them from heaven. In your great mercy, you sent them liberators who rescued them from their enemies…

“You warned them to return to your Law, but they became proud and obstinate and disobeyed your commands…In your love, you were patient with them for many years…What a gracious and merciful God you are!… – Nehemiah 9:5-31

Then God’s people said, “In view of all this, we are making a solemn promise and putting it in writing…” (9:38) They were recognizing that they deserved all of the punishment they had received and yet God had forgiven them over and over again. They were once more making a covenant with God — a covenant full of written promises to obey the Law of God and God’s commands.

HAS THE LORD REDEEMED YOU? THEN TELL YOUR STORY!

If we were to write out our stories today, what would they say? My story would include several of the same elements of the prayer told in Nehemiah: praise and worship, recognition of God’s generosity and blessings, confession of my own tendency to be prideful and stubborn, stories of God’s forgiveness and grace, testimony of God’s provision and second chances, and promises to put God first in my life. I never want to forget what God has done for me. I want to learn from my past mistakes in order to not repeat my errors, but instead grow stronger in my walk.

“Am I as filled to overflowing with love for Jesus as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Is that where I am now, or have I chosen man’s wisdom over true love for Him?…” – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest:

What has God commanded me to do? Have I done it? What prayers has He answered for me over the years? How has He faithfully kept His promises? May God’s faithfulness always be a reminder and a stimulant to the growth of my own faith. May time in His presence stimulate my spiritual growth much more than the caffeine in my morning coffee.

Today’s Reading: Esther 2:21-4:17; John 17

After the death of her parents, Esther was adopted and raised by her cousin Mordecai. When she was chosen to go to the palace, this father-figure advised her to keep her family background and nationality a secret (2:20). This would protect her from the prejudice many in Persia felt towards the Jews. As a palace official, Mordecai kept an eye on her by daily walking near the courtyard of the harem so that he could see how she was doing. When the king placed a crown on her head and declared Esther queen, she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions.

One day Mordecai overheard a plot among the guards to assassinate the king. He told Esther about it and she was able to tell the king, saving his life. If Esther’s story ended here, we could already see the evidence of God strategically placing her in a position to make a difference.

GOD’S BLESSINGS WERE EVIDENT IN ESTHER’S LIFE, DESPITE HER LOCATION; HIS PROVISION WAS EVIDENT, DESPITE HER CIRCUMSTANCES.

Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire. All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect…

When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes. — Esther 3:1-6

Haman began to conspire not only to destroy Mordecai, but to rid Persia of all of the Jews. Haman managed to convince the king that it was not in the king’s best interest to let this race of people live. Lots were cast to determine the day on which the Jews could be annihilated. These lots were called “purim” and were similar to what we think of as dice. This is where the Festival of Purim received its name — a time to remember the day intended for destruction but instead marked by God’s rescue of His people once again.

Consider with me the similarities between Esther and Nehemiah. Nehemiah was an exiled Jew living as a servant or slave to the king. His role as cupbearer became a blessing as Nehemiah was strategically positioned to be near the King to request a favor for his people. In the same way, the misfortune of Esther to be taken from her home and placed in the palace had become a blessing. As queen, she was strategically positioned to be near the King, giving her the opportunity to request protection for her people.

God intervened on Nehemiah’s behalf and the king noticed that he was distraught. God intervened on Esther’s behalf and the king noticed her standing in the inner court. He welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her so that she could approach his throne.

Nehemiah saw a need, prayed for the need, and then allowed himself to be part of the answer to that prayer. He allowed himself to be used by God. Esther saw a need, feared for her life and yet boldly stepped into the equation, allowing herself to become part of the solution.

Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made the queen for just such a time as this?”

Then Esther set this reply to Mordecai: “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in and see the king. If I must die, I must die.” – Esther 4:13-16

When faced with opposition while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah appointed half of the men to work on the wall while half stood armed with swords against the attack. In the same way, God’s people lifted prayers on behalf of Esther while she worked on protecting or rescuing them. She put herself in harm’s way, but not until she knew that her family was covering her in prayer. Together they called on God to bless her efforts and use this royal position as an opportunity to reverse the decree, allowing the Jewish people to live.

There are days and opportunities when God strategically positions us to be used by Him. There are also times in which God gives us the responsibility to pray for someone else. There may be times in which we feel sorry for ourselves, wishing that we were not in a situation or place. Then what once seemed like an unfortunate coincidence becomes a God-placed miracle, and we find ourselves strategically positioned to be used by Him.

WILL WE ACCEPT OUR CALLING FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?

Will we see our situation today as Esther did? Will we boldly step into the equation and allow ourselves to be part of the solution? Perhaps our role today is to enter into the presence of our King, as Esther did. Perhaps it is our role today to stand “with sword in hand” and pray for God’s protection. Maybe God is calling us to take an unfortunate situation and make it an opportunity for His power to be displayed. Let’s be ready to respond today in obedience the moment God calls us into action — for such a time as this.

Today’s Reading: Esther 1:1-2:20; Psalm 114; Acts 5:12-42

Some of the Jewish families had grown and flourished while in exile. For many, it was the only life they knew. Their great-grandparents would have remembered life in Jerusalem, but they themselves were born and raised in the Persian culture. Over the last 100 years of exile and beyond, they had been given the freedom to own businesses and hold government positions. They had blended into the culture and it was easier to stay in the known than to journey back to the unknown as most of the Jewish families had done.

EASIER TO STAY IN THE KNOWN THAN TO JOURNEY BACK TO THE UNKNOWN

God is calling me to sit in this part of the story for a moment. How often do we choose what is familiar and comfortable over what God is calling us to next? Are we using God’s blessings as an excuse to stay rooted where we are, rather than remaining open to where God wants us to be? Is it easier to stay in the known than to allow God to turn the page and begin a new chapter of our lives?

The book of Esther tells us of one family’s story of staying in Persia rather than returning to their homeland. God took this decision to stay and chose to use them in a mighty way in the lives of all the other Jewish families in Persia. Their faith was preserved in a godless country, and God used that faith to save His people once again.

Xerxes the Great was the fifth king to reign in Persia. Like the other kings, he was known for his pride and impulsiveness. In the third year of his reign, King Xerxes prepared a banquet for all of his military officers, as well as the royal families. This party lasted six months as the guests took time to plan their upcoming battles and military strategies, while also being wined and dined in the luxury of the palace.

At the end of this strategy session, the king threw a banquet that lasted seven days. All of the men in the fortress of Susa were invited to the beautifully decorated palace courtyard and given an abundance of the finest wine available. This boosted the king’s ego as the men celebrated the generosity of their leader with no limits placed on how much wine they drank.

At the same time, all the women in the royal palace were invited to a banquet thrown by Queen Vashti. The king’s attendants came to get the queen and bring her to the king’s banquet, for he wanted all the nobles and officials to gaze upon her beauty, but she refused to come. Some say that it was against Persian culture for a respectable woman to attend an all-male party such as this one; some say the king wanted her to come in with only her crown upon her head so that his guests could see the beauty of her body.

Refusing the king probably seemed like the right thing to do but it had its consequences. In his anger, King Xerxes ordered a written decree that the queen be banished from his presence forever. Her disrespect had embarrassed the king, and the king’s advisors wanted to make an example of her so that other women would not follow her example and refuse their husbands.

The king later realized the permanence of this decision he had made out of anger and in a state of drunkenness. To correct the situation, a search was made across the empire to find beautiful young women to be brought into the king’s harem in order to find a replacement for the queen. These young women would go through a year of beauty treatments, spend one night with the king and then be taken to live among the harem of wives in the palace. If the king remembered his night with her, she was invited back into his presence.

Esther was one of the young women chosen to come to the palace. Scripture does not tell us how she felt about this life that was chosen for her, but it is easy to imagine that she would have grieved the loss of her own plans and been saddened by the separation from her family. God was watching over Esther and she found favor with the eunuch in charge of her care. He treated her kindly, ordered a special menu for her, and assigned seven maids to her care, giving her the best place in the harem. She was not where she wanted to be but she was not alone as God watched over her. She was unaware of God’s plans to use her for the preservation of His people.

TRUSTING GOD IN THE UNKNOWN WHEN WE HAVE NO WAY TO GET BACK TO THE KNOWN

Perhaps you are not where you want to be, not where you planned to be. Perhaps decisions have been made for you that were out of your control. My prayer for you is that your faith will continue to grow as you trust that God has a larger plan at work. I pray that you are able to see the evidence that He is using your position to strategically use you in the lives of those around you. I pray that you will experience a peace that only God can give, and that He will give you favor with those you come in contact with today. May you recognize that God can take any situation and use it to provide for His people.

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob.
He turned the rock into a pool of water;
yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock. — Psalm 114:7-8

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 6-7; Psalm 123; Mark 9:14-29; Hebrews 6:13-20

When word arrived to their enemies that the wall was close to completion, they tried to distract Nehemiah. They sent four messages to him in an attempt to pull away from the work, but he sent the same message back each time. Nothing was going to stop Nehemiah from the work to which God had called him.

Their next tactic was to send a 5th message to Nehemiah in order to cause fear. If they could keep his hands busy wringing and worrying, then he could not continue to lead the work on the wall. But

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.”
But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” – Nehemiah 6:9

THEY TRIED TO CAST FEAR BUT THE LORD GAVE NEHEMIAH STRENGTH.

One man was hired to intimidate Nehemiah by telling him that there were people coming to kill him, and advising him to hide away in the Temple. But giving in to fear would have communicated a lack of faith in God and displayed weak leadership in front of his team. God had given Nehemiah a job to do, and running from that assignment would have been disobedience.

So on October 2 the wall was finished — just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God. – Nehemiah 6:15-16

They said it couldn’t be done, but they did not know the power of God. They said it was too big of a job, but they did not know how big our Lord is. They said the problems were too large, but they did not know the generosity of the God we serve! Their efforts to keep the wall from being built were thwarted by the King of the Universe.

THEY SAID IT COULD NOT BE DONE BUT, WITH GOD’S HELP, IT WAS FINALLY FINISHED.

Once the wall was finished, Nehemiah set the doors in place. He built the leadership structure by assigning musicians, gatekeepers, and Levites. Hananiah was named the commander of the citadel, and Nehemiah’s brother, Hanani, was placed in charge of Jerusalem “because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do” (Nehemiah 7:2). As he completed his assignment, the Lord moved Nehemiah to make note of all those who had returned to Jerusalem from exile.

What are you trying to rebuild that seems illogical to those around you? What are you trying to solve that seems impossible? I pray you sense God’s protection around as He equips you with His Spirit to do all He has called you to do. And when others question your integrity, mock your purpose, or twist your words, lift up your eyes to the Lord of mercy who has called you for such a time as this.

I lift my eyes to you,
O God, enthroned in heaven.
We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy,
just as servants keep their eyes on their master,
as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy,
for we have had our fill of contempt.
We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud
and the contempt of the arrogant. – Psalm 123:1-4