(The 2nd in a
series on Lent)
Esther 4:1-17
(Use the link below to read the passage.)
Trending
is what we used to call a fad. In the 60’s, tight pants were popular, so my mom
“pegged” my pants for me. About three years later, bell bottoms were the rage. Trends
come and go seeming to have a life of their own. They don’t require rhyme nor
reason. They just happen; by chance apparently.
The
book of Esther is the only book of the Bible that never mentions God by name. And
if you didn’t know better, you might think the story of Esther was a story of chance;
even of trending.
There
are four main characters: King Xerxes, Haman, Mordecai and Esther. Haman had
convinced the King to have the Jews destroyed. But Mordecai finds out his plans
and thwarts them by convincing Esther to approach the King.
“Do not think that because
you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For
if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise
from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows
but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go,
gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or
drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do.
When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law.
And if I perish, I perish.” NIV
Last
week I wrote about the role of reflection during Lent. Haman and King Xerxes believed
that they “were on top of the world”. They felt like they had everything under
control. You might say, that they were trending well. On the other hand,
Mordecai and Esther, though trending downward, trusted in God who they believed
was in control.
Where
are you trending in your life? Are you trending towards God, or away from Him?
Do you feel like you have control of everything? Or do you see how God is at
work and He is in control? How is God using you in His plans? Where has God
placed you, “for such a time as this”?
(If
God has spoken to you through this devotional, please feel free to share it
with others.)
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