When community life seems awash today with conflicting ideas that carry an undercurrent of trouble just below the surface, not rocking the boat seems paramount. Today’s chapter begins a story of one person’s risk to life, as she steps out of her boat onto a raging sea…
READ ESTHER 4 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
When visiting Australia one time, I was amazed yet again at their out-door mentality. My sister and brother-in-law proudly showed us their “tinny” (a little metal boat) that they had built for taking on holiday, winched to the roof of their car! But I wonder how many people know that in order not to rock the boat – or capsizing it completely – you need to bend your knees. If you stand tall with strong legs locked into place, you’ll automatically rock the boat!
In yesterday Breadcrumb, we saw how Esther’s cousin would not “bend the knee” on what he fundamentally felt was wrong.[a] But his freedom of choice seriously rocked the boat for an entire people group as they floated in the turbulent waters of the Persian Empire. [v1-3] Because of the now serious wave that had washed over them all, Esther, in today’s chapter, is called upon to risk her life. She’s to stand tall for what’s right, with gritted teeth and locked knees, in an already destabilized ‘boat’. [v8]
Reading about Esther’s life has left me wondering if I’m keeping silent today, in order to avoid ‘rocking the boat’; losing friends; standing out as different; or seen as being ‘in the way of progress’. And will there come a day when that isn’t all what is at stake for me? If so, then what am I building into my worldview, attitudes, biblical understanding, and behaviour today, that will help me know how to stand?[b] Read More? …CLICK on “16 July – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Want to speak directly with the One Who Saves? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[c]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
I want to ascribe greatness to You, Lord, along with the families of all peoples! I want to give thanks to You for Your glory and strength. I’ll assign praise to You that’s due to Your Name – bringing an offering of prayer by coming before You in holy worship. [1 Chronicles 16:28-29]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
- The World: The Creator’s Good News for Iran[d]
- Your Country: Issues within your Inner-cities
- Yourself: Opportunities for your personal story
- Your concerns for today
You, Lord, are the Everlasting God and Creator of the ends of the earth. You don’t become weary or tired. Your understanding is unfathomable. You give strength to the weary and, to those who are weak, You increase our power. [Isaiah 40:28-29]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
As I admit to my faults every day, please help me, Lord, to remember that all discipline seems horrible in that moment. Yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the fruit of righteousness and peace. [Hebrews 12:11]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
Be gracious to me, my God and Maker. According to Your loving-kindness and the greatness of Your compassion, please blot out the things I do wrong. [Psalm 51:1]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[e] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = Our Maker’s Handbook
“Do not let this Book of Law depart from your mouth, but meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it; then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. [Joshua 1:8]
[a] Esther 3:1-6
[b] Ephesians 6:10-13 (Context: v10-17)
[c] Matthew 6:5-15
[d] http://www.operationworld.org/country/iran/owtext.html
[e] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31