Lessons from Esther: Esther’s feast

Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king. 19 And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's gate. 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. Esther 2:18-20

Time for another party! It appears that Ahasuerus (Xerxes) loved to give parties (feasts). There was a reason to celebrate. The king had picked a new queen. The feast was appropriately called “Esther’s feast.” He was so excited about his choice that the party extended to the provinces.

The king gave “a release” to the people. Depending on what commentary you read the release was either from paying taxes, or from work, such as a special holiday. Esther was given “gifts”, we are not told what type of gift but according to history of the Persian kings, it could be anything from lovely clothes to an entire city.

Meanwhile, Mordecai sat at the king’s gate. This was not your ordinary sitting but it was a position he held. J. Vernon McGee says, “This means that he is a judge, for the courthouse of the ancient world was the gate of the city.” We are not told how Mordecai came to receive this position but it shows that God is in control.  God had placed him in this new position. Mordecai is now sitting at the gate where he is able to hear and see what is going on in the kingdom.

Through her selection, the celebrations as well as the appointment of her cousin, Esther was harboring a secret. She kept the secret hidden in her heart because Mordecai, her adopted father, had asked her to. Her secret was even hidden from her Persian husband. No one but Esther and Mordecai knew that she was Jewish, and a captive from Jerusalem.

Behind the scene God was guiding each word said, each step taken by Esther and Mordecai. God will guide our words and our steps if we let Him. At the start of each day, we need to ask God for guidance and direction to lead us in the way we should go.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

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

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Psalm 27:11

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:13

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

Ungodly

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Jude 14-16

In these verses, Jude uses very strong language, as he refers to prophesy and the judgment that will follow. Ungodly in this section means wicked. It is mentioned four times in one verse. Jude is making a point, that the wicked will be punished justly.

Here is a list of the sins:
Murmurers – grumbler
Complainers - blaming fate (discontented)
Walking after their own lust –going after their own desires
Mouth speaking great swelling words – spoke of great and high things and probably made false promises
Men’s persons in admiration because of advantage – flatterers

Jude does not mince his words. He is given us a warning, the choice is ours do we join in with this crowd or separate from them.

As you walk your daily path today keep a prayerful attitude and ask the Lord to guide you in His Ways.

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
Have a blessed day,
Donna