With an aging Queen Elizabeth II and the unspoken question hanging in the air: Who is worthy of receiving her crown?, today’s chapter follows one girl’s journey from slavery to royalty…
READ ESTHER 2 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 thinking of significant change, transition, and upheaval, I can’t help but wonder how trusting I am today. Yes, we lost our son and survived. But what if a storm devastated the country such that it turned life upside down and inside out? Would I fall apart like an impoverished slave whose life is gripped by the hands of fate? Or, would I walk tall in royal grace and honour (contrary to my circumstances), while trusting in a bigger picture and higher power? Would I be “worthy of the crown” if that crown was FAITH?
I doubt if anyone could reach the ‘bottom of the barrel’ as Esther had done in today’s chapter. She became a female orphan of war in exile as a child. Reduced to poverty and servitude in a foreign country, Esther now faced an extremely high chance of entering her adult years as little more than a prisoner-concubine with no light at all at the end of the escape tunnel. But with no qualifications for royalty at all, Esther seems to conduct herself with a level of royal grace that seemed ‘worthy of the crown’ to everyone who come in contact with her.[v9, 15b] In turn, the Creator God weaves yet another ‘repeat story’ of protection, blessing, and grace in the worst possible circumstances for those who stand tall while trusting in Him. After a four-year period without a Queen for the Persian Empire, Esther is declared to be qualified for royalty.
Read More? …CLICK on “14 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.
Wanting to speak personally to the God of the Impossible? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[a]
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 sing to You, LORD, a new song with a shout for joy! Your Word is upright and all Your work is done in faithfulness. You love righteousness and justice. The earth is full of stories of Your goodness and loving-kindness. [Psalm 33:3-5]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: God’s GRACE on Iran[b]
Your Country: Needs of those closest to you
Yourself: Personal Discipline
Your concerns for today
Help me Lord to avoid storing up for myself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Help me to understand what it means to store up for myself treasures in heaven. [Matthew 6:19-20]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Regardless of how painful this might be, purify me with hyssop, Father God, because only then will I be clean. Wash me, Lord, and I’ll be whiter than snow. Give me joy and gladness, and let the bones which You’ve broken rejoice because You’ve hidden Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. [Psalm 51:7-9]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
Thank- You Father God, for making known to me Your path of LIFE. In Your presence is fullness of joy and in Your right hand I’ll find there pleasures forever. [Psalm 16:11]
“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.[c] 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
“Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” [Psalm 119:11]
[a] Matthew 6:5-15
[b] http://www.operationworld.org/country/iran/owtext.html
[c] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31
[d] Genesis 39:1-6,20-23