Lessons from Esther: The fateful day

1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) 2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. 4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. 5Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. Esther 9:1-5

The “fateful” day arrives, the day of death for the Jews, which was the original plan from Haman. The hand of God has “turned the tables” on the enemies of the Jews.

The Jews have banded together and made plans of attack and plans of protection. A curious thing has taken place, in verse 2 it says “the fear of them fell upon all people.” Not only could they now stand up for themselves but a fear has fallen over their enemies.

The battles are fierce and deadly and the Jews are winning at every turn.

As I read, again I can see the hand of God. The Jews have gone from a people of no hope to a people with hope abounding as they win battle after battle.

We may not face physical hand to hand battles as the Jews faced during Esther’s time, but we do face daily battles. For each battle we face there is a solution in God’s word.

Below are a few ‘battles” I have been in, some victorious, and some I’m still working on.

Problems with anger

James 1:19-20; Proverbs 14:16-17; Proverbs 14:29; I Corinthians 13:4-5 Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 25:28; Proverbs 29:22; Proverbs 15:18

Problems with forgiveness

Matthew 6:12; Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:21-22; Matthew 23:25; Ephesians 4:31-32; Matthew 11:25

Problems with mouth/tongue

Psalm 34:13-14; Psalm 35:28; Psalm 19:14 Ecclesiastes 5:2; James 1:26; Ephesians 4:29; Titus 3:2

Problems with contentment

Phil 4:11; I Timothy 6:8 II Corinthians 10:12

This is just the tip of the iceberg in the problems/battles we may face. The Bible has the answer. We need to be willing to search for the answers. After searching we need to apply what we learned to our lives, sometimes it means changing the way we do things or taking things out of our lives (sinful acts/deeds etc.) or putting things into our lives (family time/reading the Word etc). Whatever the battle, God is with us. He gives us the strength of His Word to endure the trials.

For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Psalm 18:39

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Watch what you say

2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

I have always had a problem with “running my mouth”. I usually speak then think which doesn’t work out for me. The saying “think before you speak” is loaded with wisdom.

When we think before we speak, we usually don’t say what we are thinking. When we think before we speak, we spare someone’s feelings. When we think before we speak we are showing much wisdom.

Like I said in the beginning I have a problem with “running my mouth.” Through the years I memorized scripture but usually it was because someone said it was a good verse to memorize. Last year I started to memorize verses that would help me with my mouth/tongue. Ecclesiastes 5:2 was one of the verses I “hid in my heart”. Each verse I memorized helped me get better control of my tongue.

Are you having problems controlling your tongue? Pray and ask the Lord to give you verses to commit to memory to “hid in your heart so you will not sin against God.”

Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease. ~ John Witherspoon

We seldom repent of speaking little, very often of speaking too much; a vulgar and trite maxim, which all the world knows, but which all the world does not practice. ~ Jean de la Bruyere

Think all you speak, but speak not all you think – Thoughts are your own:  your words are so no more. ~ Patrick Delany

Have a blessed day,
Donna

Did you hear…..?

As soon as that phrase comes out of someone’s mouth, all stop to listen. Have you ever been in a store and someone says it. You don’t even know what they are speaking about but ... there it is a little bit of gossip.

Today one does not have to try and listen, it is all around us. You go to the store, park, doctor’s office, even on the street and someone is having a “private” conversation on the cell phone. Nothing is sacred. You can hear all about the “breakup”, “diseases” or the family “black sheep”. These are just a few of the things I have overheard without even trying.

I try not to have private conversations on my cell phone in public. I do not need to “share” personal information “with the world”.

In today’s world it seems that “anything goes” and I do mean “anything.” We need to be careful about what we say and what we listen to.

There are so many verses in the Bible relating to this subject. The word mouth is mentioned 424 times; lip(s) mentioned 122 times, and tongue mentioned 129 times. Do you think the Lord wants us to pay attention to what we say? I would say a resounding yes. Here is just a sampling of what I found in God’s word.

Be careful with what you say:
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:13-14

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 1Peter 3:10

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2

God knows what we are going to say:
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Psalm 139:4

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

If you watch your mouth you will be considered wise:
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:28

I love this verse, if I just keep quiet someone may think I’m wise. I need to try it the next time a “sharp” reply comes to my mind.

Don’t use your mouth for:
Lying:
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool. Proverbs 10:18

A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. Proverbs 17:4

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:2

Gossip (spreading tales/stories):
He that goeth about as a talebearer (strong’s: slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer) revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
Proverbs 20:19

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13

The words of a talebearer (strong’s: to murmur, whisper, backbite, slander) are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 18:8

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 26:20

Let the rumor, gossip, hurtful saying stop with you.

Evil:
He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. Proverbs 16:30

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Psalm 52:2

When we say unkind or rude things it cuts like a sharp razor –ouch!

Use your mouth for:
Praising God:
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. Hebrew 13:15

Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Psalm 71:8

I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude. Psalm 109:30

My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:21

Talk about God and what He has done for you.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 35:28

I make goals each year, sometimes I keep most of them, sometimes it’s a miracle if I keep one. This year one of my goals was to memorize verses having to do with the mouth and tongue. This has helped me to “hold” my tongue in a lot of circumstances. It is amazing how I will get in a situation (such as wanting to say “did you hear …”) and a verse will come to mind.

God wants each of us to grow closer to Him. Using our mouths in the right way is a great start.

Have a blessed day,
Donna