In almost any endeavor, persistence makes a difference. One of the most essential qualities of being a follower of Jesus is determination. Jesus is our role model for determination and persistence. We can’t imagine the strength it took for our Savior to journey to the cross and die for our sins as He fulfilled His …
We find the Jews overcoming the spirit of Haman in the story of Esther. Mordecai’s lack of honor towards Haman resulted in Haman wanting all Jews dead. So, Haman had manipulated a decree declaring the destruction of the Jews on a certain date. This sounds extreme, but it points to a spirit of ethnic prejudice …
My husband and I just finished a home remodeling project and know the importance of completing the job. Like many things in life, it took longer and cost more than we expected. In the story of Esther, by chapter eight, Haman was dead, but his decree to destroy the Jews continued. Esther had already risked …
In this week’s story, Esther continues interceding for God’s people. Haman is dead, but his decree against the Jews still stands and is irrevocable. Even though Esther is insulated in the palace, she still cares for her people and fashioned her pleas to show that concern. She was willing to go before the king again, …
What are you putting your hope in? Maybe this is something you are wrestling with in these chaotic times. Some people may be placing their hope in their government, their resources, or something other than the Lord. How many people departed into eternity today who had failed to place their faith in Jesus as their …
In the story of Esther, we can see the problem of bragging. Proverbs 27:1 Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. [1] Haman has a history of being a braggart. Esther 5: Then Haman gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 and boasted to them about his great wealth …
We often think we will get away with things, but ultimately, we reap what we sow. What if people took to heart the words Paul wrote? Galatians 6:7Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.[1] Our enemy, satan, loves to deceive and mislead us. He is like …
The wicked will perish. In the world in which we live, it seems the wicked are getting away with ungodly behavior. The seem to be going unpunished, but that is not true. There will come a time when those who refuse God’s merciful gift of salvation will be no more. Psalm 1:6 For the Lord …
Esther was a mediator, and Jesus is ours, which tells us the importance of mediation. Without Esther’s mediation, the Jews were in grave danger of being killed. Mordecai was Jewish and a low-level official working at the palace gates for King Xerxes. When he refused to bow to him, Mordecai had infuriated Haman, the second …
Communication is key in the story of Esther. When a message is not clear, problems result. Haman had not told King Xerxes that the “certain people” he wanted to destroy were the Jews. When Xerxes asked Haman how to honor a person, the king did not name the person. Haman was shocked and humiliated when …