Lessons from Esther: Under the watchful eye

And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. Esther 2:11

Esther is in the palace, waiting for her “turn” to be with the king. Mordecai was outside the court where the women were held.

He walked by every day to get a word about Esther. He loved her and adopted her as his own daughter. I’m sure he was very concerned about her whereabouts and what was happening to her. His care and love remind me of the love I feel for my children.

My children are all grown and on their own but I still want the best for them. I recently attended a seminar where Pastor Jim Cymbala was speaking. At the end of the session, he ask if “anyone had a child or grandchild” who had strayed from the Lord to stand. People all over the auditorium stood to pray for their children.

Just before he prayed, he said, “no one needs to remind you to pray for your wayward child”. He was so right. When we have a burden for someone we pray all the time. As I read this one verse about Mordecai, I thought of parents everywhere who worry and maybe even wonder where their wayward child is.

Do you have a burden for someone to get their life right before the Lord? Ask God to surround them with His love and to take care of them. The hard part is praying in His will not mine.

As you pray today for a loved one remember God knows. Trust Him with your burden.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Kings and Leaders

16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Ecclesiastes 10:16-17

Solomon is concerned about the leadership abilities of kings, rightly so, since he was a king and the wisest person who ever lived.

Solomon says there will be sorrow when a land is ruled by a servant, or an unqualified person. During biblical times the title was passed down through families, not much different than countries that still hold to royalty traditions today. The rulers were not knowledgeable of the tasks and duties set before them. Parties and feasts were held throughout the day instead of ruling the country. Priorities were not right.

He contrasts it with a country that has a noble ruler or one who is qualified to run a country. Someone who will lead with leadership qualities and not just think about partying and having feasts, a king who has the welfare of the country in mind. One who leads with wisdom and knowledge of what is needed in his country.

As I wrote I thought of the countries of the world and the various leaders. No matter which country or state you might live in we are to pray for our leaders.

… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6 

Pray without ceasing. 1Thessalonians 5:17 

As you meditate on today’s reading, pray for our leaders.

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Contrasts

7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:7-8

At first glance one might  say, “What is this talking about.”  We need to do a little word study to help with the explanation of verse seven.

Word meanings from the Hebrew:

Oppression means injury, fraud … unjust gain: … extortion…

Mad means …to shine; hence to make a show; to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; …

Gift means … a present; specifically (in a good sense) a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe: - …

Destroyeth (destroys) means … wander away, that is lose oneself; by implication to perish …

The interpretation would be this: Surely fraud makes a wise man to boast, and a bribe makes the heart wander.

Solomon tells us the end of something is better than the beginning. One is usually apprehensive embarking on a new project or a new phase in life. When we have dealt with some new period in our life, we become familiar with all the workings weather it is a new job, new family member, or some other activity new to us.

Solomon then tells us it is better to be patient than proud. John Gill says, “…patience is a fruit of the Spirit of God; and is of great use in the Christian's life, and especially in bearing afflictions, and tends to make men more humble, meek, and quiet; and such are highly esteemed of God;…”

The Bible says many things about the proud and the patient here a just a few verses:

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Proverbs 16:5

The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. Proverbs 15:25

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.  Romans 12:12

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 1Thessalonians 5:14

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  James 5:8

Patience is not one of my strong points, but through the years the Lord has taught me many lessons. I am still learning but I am extremely thankful that the Lord is patient toward me. Can I be any less toward others?

Have a blessed day, 

Donna