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

Lessons from a trip – High tower

While visiting my daughter and her family, they took us to see the Vulcan. I visit the Birmingham area every year since 1994 and have never been to the Vulcan. As a matter of fact, I never heard of the Vulcan, but then again I’m not from the south.

Vulcan, Birmingham Alabama's colossal statue is the world's largest cast iron statue and considered one of the most memorable works of civic art in the United States. Designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti and cast from local iron in 1904, it has overlooked the urban landscape of Alabama's largest city since the 1930’s. (http://www.visitvulcan.com/index.html) – From the Vulcan website

We had a lovely visit on the grounds as well as in the little museum. The grounds are beautifully cared for and we visited on a warm sunny day. Part of the admission was a trip to the top of the base of the statue. I am not a huge fan of heights, but usually I just take it in stride. We traveled to the top in a glass surround elevator, looking over the city of Birmingham. I was ok until the elevator stopped and opened to a grate platform that encircled the base of the Vulcan. There were people standing and picture taking around the platform. My error was when I looked down right through the grate walkway to the ground, way, way, way down to the ground.

As my family walked around and enjoyed the sights, I walked around and stayed close to the wall of the statue. In retrospect it was pretty funny; if the platform collapsed the wall would do me no good. I was really scared. I have been in many high buildings i.e. the Sears (Willis) Tower in Chicago, the Prudential Building in Boston, The Empire State building in New York and I even like to fly, go figure, but for some reason I had a fear of .. I don’t really know, heights I guess. In the other buildings there is a solid walkway on the Vulcan the walkway was a grate that one could see right down to the earth beneath. As I walked I prayed for calmness of spirit and asked the Lord to take away the fear. I did feel better but was relieved when we traveled down the elevator and I placed my feet on the solid earth.

We walked around the bottom of the statue and talked to the park attendants. One of the attendants told us that the Vulcan was beautiful at night when all the lights were lit. She informed us that our tickets were good for the entire day. I didn’t think anything about it until my daughter said around 8:30 pm, “want to go back to the Vulcan and see it at night”. All jumped at the chance to see it at night. I was not as overjoyed as the rest of the family. Off we went, to see the Vulcan at night, the grounds and statue were brilliantly lit and it was a gorgeous warm summer evening. As we started to ascend on the elevator I felt my fear rising. I prayed and asked  the Lord to take the fear away. The fears did subside and I realized how fears can control a person. I enjoyed the walk around and the dazzling views of Birmingham at night.

How about you? Do you have fears? Give them to God don’t let your fears consume you or your walk in the Lord.

Lessons learned:

God is with me all the time – Hebrews 13:5

Look to Him for strength and encouragement – Psalm 27:1

Pray – I Thessalonians 5:17

Trust Him – Proverbs 3:5-6

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. 2Samuel 22:3 

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2 

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. Psalm 61:3 

My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. Psalm 144:2 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

 Have a blessed day,

Donna

Who deserves our thankfulness?

During the next few days I will be looking at the 5 W's of thankfulness. Who, what, when, where and why should we be thankful. Each day I will use scripture verses for the answers.

Today's question: Who deserves our thankfulness?

Our Great and Wonderful Lord
Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. – II Samuel 22:50

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. - Revelation 11:17

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. - I Chronicles 29:13

Have a thankful day,
Donna