KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus
Through Every Chapter
Date: Tuesday,
May 24, 2016
Chapters: Esther 1-5
Message: Guided By God

Hello My
Friend,

The Book of Esther was originally written to the
Jews who where in Persia (Babylon). The author of the book is
unknown, but most likely Mordecai. The timeline for these events took
place approximately 464–434 BC. The purpose of
the book is to testify to the secret watch and care that God has over
His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from
the book is that God uses all people to serve Him in some way, but
prepares His people to be witnesses and blessings to others. “For
Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the
Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the
wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” -
Esther 10:3.

God uses many means to point people to His
direction, judgment, sickness, hope, love, death, the list goes on
and on, how He gets our attention goes back to the choices we make.
If we choose God He will protect us no matter what road we are on.
Contrary to what many people believe, our fate is not planned out for
us, yes, there are some things destined for us that no one can alter,
but we choose the path, and oddly enough, God is the guide. When the
Jews were taken captive and brought to Babylon they had no idea what
would come of them, as far as they knew God removed them out of His
sight. He might have taken them out of Jerusalem, but He still kept
an eye on them. God gives us a look into the state of the Jews in
Babylon, he uses a young Jewish woman name Hadassah, whose name was
changed to Esther to change the fate of the Jews in Babylon. By a
strange turn of events, Esther finds herself vying for a chance to
become queen, and just by being herself was chosen.

“Now
when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of
Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto
the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain,
the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the
sight of all them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king
Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month
Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther
above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight
more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her
head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 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. And when the virgins were
gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's
gate. 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
2:15-20.

“Esther had not yet
shewed her kindred nor her people;” Those who walk with
Christ are set apart from everyone else, they do not need to reveal
to the world that they are a Christian because they see it. Sadly,
many do not know it is Him, but they see something different in them,
which is why they become blessed even in the world. Sometimes the
path that God takes us makes no sense at all, but we have to trust
Him and let Him continue to guide us. “And
the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in
drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered
garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
- Isaiah 58:11.

After Esther became queen, king Ahasuerus
(Artaxerxes) promoted a wicked man named
Haman, which gave him the right to enforce the king's commands. Haman
was so influential with the king that he expected all the people to
bow down to him. However, Mordecai refused, and that gave him
ammunition to conspire to get rid of not only him, but all the Jews.
He lies to the king and tells him that a group of people were going
against his laws and needed to be put to death for it. The king
agrees, not knowing that he was talking about the Jews.

“Then
were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first
month, and there was written according to all that Haman had
commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were
over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every
province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after
their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and
sealed with the king's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into
all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to
perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in
one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is
the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of
the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was
published unto all people, that they should be ready against that
day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment,
and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and
Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.”
- Esther 3:12-15.

“and sealed with
the king's ring.” Over the years, especially in our current
generation, our countries leaders are being deceived into signing
laws that are pretty much trying to kill off God’s people. And as
Christians, we are forced to comply with laws that should never even
be into existence for the sake of a few egos that are hurt because we
will not bow down to them. While we are no longer under the law, and
while we are be wise in our decisions, we must never let anyone
belittle us for our faith. At one time it use to be, and still is a
crime to discriminate against someone over their religion, yet we get
persecuted for following Jesus. Stand by your faith, do not bow down
to them! We have a right to be here, and no one can force us to break
a law from the utmost authority, God. “The
fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD
shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment
cometh from the LORD.” - Proverbs 29:25,26.

After
learning of the decree Queen Esther came up with a plan to expose
Haman to the king, even if that meant she would lose her life. She
encourages the Jews to fast and pray for three days, and then she
would approach the king, even if that meant she would die for it.
Esther put on her royal clothes and went into the kings court, he
received her with gladness. All she requested was to have dinner with
him and Haman, which the king gladly accepted. That night he asked
her what she wanted and all she asked for one more night to feast
with the king and Haman. Haman left that day with his head swelled
that he was personally invited to dinner with the queen, but was not
enough because he wanted Mordecai dead. That is when they had a
gallows made for him.

“Then went
Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw
Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him,
he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Nevertheless Haman
refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his
friends, and Zeresh his wife. And Haman told them of the glory of his
riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein
the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the
princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther
the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that
she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also
with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see
Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh his
wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty
cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may
be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the
banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be
made.” - Esther 5:9-14.

“Then
went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart:”
When the wicked mess with God’s people their egos are inflated as
they think they are the ones in control. The wicked forget one huge
thing, God. God may allow His people to be afflicted, but He will
never let them be destroyed. Right now, the devil’s ego is
inflated, he thinks he is in control, but God is the one who is
always in control, and no one will take His people from Him. “For
the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand
are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his
also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry
land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the
LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his
pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his
voice,” - Psalms 95:3-7.

Jesus
Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed through Esther,
who sacrificed her life for her people. Jesus sacrificed His life and
died a sinless death to save all who believe in Him from death and
hell. “So Christ was once offered to bear the
sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the
second time without sin unto salvation.” - Hebrews
9:28.

Today's Prayer:
God, It seems like the more I try to live my life in Your will the
more opposition I face. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your
power to withstand this opposition and strengthen me to be able to
keep going for Your glory. I know that whatever I go through as long
as I look to You I will see victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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