Lessons from Esther: Feasting and gladness

16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, 17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. Ether 9:16-19

The battles are ended and victory belongs to the Jews. The death toll outside of the king’s city is high, very high at 75,000. Again it is mentioned that the Jews did not take any spoil.

The goal was to defend their lives. They fought so they could live. When the conflict ended they gathered together to rest and rejoice by feasting. The Jews in the king’s provinces fought on the 13^th and celebrated on the 14^th day. The Jews in Shushan fought on the 13^th and 14^th days and celebrated on the 15^th day. Remember, Esther asked for another day of battle in the palace city.

The scriptures say it was “a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another” verse 19. The Jews had so much, so very much to be glad about. How about you? Can you celebrate today as a “gladness” day? Take a few minutes to name things you are glad about.

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High. Psalm 9:2

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Psalm 31:7

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11

Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. Psalm 40:6

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Psalm 104:34

The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Psalm 126:3

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Lessons from Esther: The letters are “in the mail”

14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace. 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour. 17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. Esther 8:14-17

The letters are sent and the decree given, the Jews will have the right to fight their oppressors. It almost seems like a collective sigh goes out from all the Jews.

Mordecai goes out in royal apparel with the crown and fine garments that the king has given him. There is rejoicing and the people are beside themselves with happiness.

They were happy because now they would have a “fighting chance”. A feast was held and “many people of the land became Jews…” The tables have been turned, instead of cursing and putting down the Jews perhaps the people could “see the hand of God” in the turning of events.

How about you? Can you rejoice and be glad of the “events” in your life? Can you see God working?  Here are a few verses of encouragement.

Be glad:

You are a Christian

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm 32:11

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; Psalm 31:7

You can trust in God:

The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory. Psalm 64:10

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. II Samuel 22:3

He is your strength

... God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

... for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

You are alive

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

You are redeemed:

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11

Jesus is coming again

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

 Have a blessed day, 

Donna

Comfort in the midst of sorrow

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:14-21, 26-27

Jesus taught and instructed His disciples right up to the time He was taken away. The One who was to die for the sins of the world was reassuring and encouraging others.

The name Comforter is used four times in four different verses in the book of John. It is referring to the third part of the trinity, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter that was left to indwell the believer. The Comforter came when the Son went back to heaven. The Comforter is with us now, comforting, encouraging and reassuring us through the Word.

The Comforter will only lead in the right direction. It is up to us to be more conscious of His presence and His leading.

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5 

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 31:3

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Psalm 43:10 

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Love the Lord

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Psalm 31:23

Love the Lord is the command we see in this verse. Why,you may ask,should we love God? Look further, the verse says He will preserve the faithful, those who trust and believe Him. The verse ends with, He will “plentifully rewardeth the proud doer”. God will reward the proud people also, they will get their “just desserts”.

I love God’s word, it always shows both sides of a situation. Love and be faithful to God and he will preserve you which means He will protect and guard you.

The other side of the coin is to be proud and act like you do not need God. You are fine and it is you and you alone. Proud in this verse means arrogance. God is going to give them more than enough (plentifully) “rewards”. This is not the type of reward one would want to receive but, he will be rewarded for his behavior.

Albert Barnes says, “Abundantly” rewards. Literally, “in plenty.” That is, his punishment does not fall short of the desert of the wicked man. It is ample or full. He does full justice.

February is “love month”. Who better should we love but our Great and Wonderful Heavenly Father.

Have a blessed day,
Donna