Lessons from Esther: Remember

20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, 21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. 23  And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; 24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;  

25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. 26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, 27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; 28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. Esther 9:20-28

Mordecai again writes letters to all the Jews in all 127 provinces. This time the letter is a communication of good news. He is recapping the story of the last year.

He begins by reminding them of Haman’s dastardly deed. Mordecai tells about the queen and her appeal to the king. He tells the whole account. His main purpose is to keep every detail in the forefront of their minds. He wants the 14^th and 15^th of Adar to be established as a special feast day. Not just for the current year but to celebrate yearly and to keep it as a memorial for generations to come. Mordecai wants the Jewish nation to never, ever forget what happened. The celebrating is for them to share their blessings by “sending portions” to each other and giving “gifts to the poor.” Along with the giving the story of Queen Esther is to be shared. Even though the name of God is not mentioned He wants them to realize why they were victorious.

The Jewish people still celebrate Purim. This year it is March 15-16. The main reason is to remember. Remember what God did for the nation.

How about you? Are there things that you need to remember?

Remember where God found you.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:2

Remember what Jesus did for you.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Remember God’s love for you.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

perfect in love. I John 4:10

We love him, because he first loved us. I John 4:19

A few “remembering” quotes:

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ~ George Santayana

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin

We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history. ~ Sonia Johnson

Have a blessed day,
Donna

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

Celebration!!

[31] Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: ... [35] And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: [36] And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. [37] And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. [38] And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; [39] And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. [40] So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: … [43] Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. [44] And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. [45] And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. [46] For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. [47] And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. Nehemaih 12:31-47

Nehemiah takes the princes of Judah and divides them into two big groups. The first group walks south while the second group walks north. The groups consisted of many people marching and playing instruments. People came from all over to join in the celebration. There were people from within the walls as well as people who built homes outside the walls participating in the great and wonderful dedication.

Whole families took part in the festivity. Sacrifices were made; singing with accompanying musical instruments filled the air with wonderful sounds and melodies to the Lord. The people were so happy praising and rejoicing that it could be heard far away.

Do we praise and rejoice in the Lord for all His blessings to us? As the song writer wrote, “count your blessings name them one by one.”

Here are some praise and joy verses to get you started:

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

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 give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Psalm 35:18

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3

[1] Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. [2] Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. [3] Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. [4] Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. [5] Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. [6] Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 150

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Story Telling

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. Deuteronomy 32:7

I love to hear stories. Recently I was with an elderly friend, who was sharing stories of her growing up years. She married three months after graduating from high school. Recently her spouse of 66 years passed away after a long illness.

As the stories were told her eyes filled with tears remembering the long ago memories. There were hard times but numerous lessons learned not everything was a bed of roses. Many of her recollections are of wonderful family times and trips to Italy with her sweetheart. Sharing recipes and family stories goes hand in hand for my dear friend. She is a wonderful cook and still makes delicious pies, cookies and lasagna dinners.

She loves her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. When family arrives there is a twinkle in her eye. Love bubbles over when she talks about her husband and their family. Sitting and taking in all the stories, many new to my ears, but some I heard before and never get tired of hearing, I thought of my family history.

I can remember my grandmother combing my hair as a little girl and telling me about her childhood. I can recall the funny stories my father told of his boyhood. I remember the story of my father and his sister singing to make money for the family.

My mother’s stories are not of fond memories but recollections of a sick mother and an overworked father who cared for his children. Each one of us has a history, whether sad, happy or indifferent. We all have memories and stories to share, stories to learn from, stories to help us not repeat the wrongs of the past, and stories that make us laugh or cry.

There is so much to share with our children; we need to share our family history. Oral history is so important in families, talk about your childhood, share stories with your children, write things down for them to share with their children.

Our spiritual heritage is just as important as our family heritage. The Bible tells us to talk to our children. What can we share of our spiritual heritage?

We need to:

• Talk about God’s salvation

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16-17

• Talk about God’s love

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

• Talk about God’s wonderful works

Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5

• Talk about God’s goodness

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8

Take time today to share with your children or grandchildren. Each one of us loves to hear of the “old days”; as we share our heritage remember to share your spiritual heritage as well.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deuteronomy 6:7

Have a blessed day,
Donna

God's goodness

Psalm 40:10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Eight years ago, my husband started Bible studies and worship services in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Through the years we have met many wonderful people. I love to visit and talk to the elderly. They love company and look forward to visits, most have a hunger for the Word of God.

Tonight we had Bible study at one of the assisted livings we go to monthly. Sixteen ladies were in attendance. It was a great night and many had questions. My husband answered each question thoughtfully. Most had never heard the gospel explained in clear simple language. At the end of the night a number of them bowed their heads to ask Jesus to save them. You are never too young or too old to accept the Lord. He is waiting with outstretched arms. It is a great joy to be able to attend the Bible studies and see the Lord open the hearts of people.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 107:8
Have a great day.
Donna