Date: Thursday, May 29, 2014
Today's Chapters: Esther 8-10
Message Title: Overcoming Difficulties With Christ

Right now someone has just bowed their head and asked Jesus Christ to save them from their sin debt, from that moment on they have been converted, not into a religion, not into a denomination, but into a church. This is not some ordinary church with four walls, chairs, and an altar. This is a church unseen to the eyes, but dwells in every converted soul, it is the church of Christ. Once we join His church we are a member for eternal life, and that means we are protected for life. That does not mean we will not face any consequences for our sins while we are here or that we will avoid difficulties in life, but it does mean that God is there to help us get through them.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” - 1 Peter 5:8-11.

Difficulties in life are not necessarily punishments, but challenges to get us more dependent on God. When Mordecai and the Jews were faced with the challenge of their own lives being taken it looked hopeless for them, but thanks to the unselfish and brave act of Queen Esther going to the king and exposing Haman there was a chance for them. Now, after Haman was hung by the very gallows he had made for Mordecai, the king asked Esther what else he could do to make things right. Esther responds to the king.

“And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.” - Esther 8:5-8.

The Book of Esther is a testimony of the difficulties Christians face while they are here on earth, and the secret watch that God has over His people. Interestingly, not once is God's name mentioned in this book, but in no other book of the Bible is His presence more revealed. God is always watching over us, even when we doubt, fear, or lose faith in our situations ever changing. “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” - Luke 12:29-32.

King Ahasuerus made Mordecai his next in command and allowed him to write a new decree that would give the Jews freedom and the right to defend themselves. Seventy-five thousand people who were sent out by Haman to destroy the Jews and every one of them were executed within three days. “Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons. For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,” - Esther 9:13-16.

While vengeance is God's, He will allow us to use any means necessary to protect ourselves, God does not want to see us get hurt, even when we sin. God just wants us to depend on Him and Him alone, in all that we do and go through. Being converted is more than just salvation from hell, it is faith that God can do all He says He can do. “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” - 1 Corinthians 2:5-9.

As Christians we need to stand together in the Church of Christ, striving to be the examples that God wants us to be, it is only by our faith and trust in Him that others will believe, be converted, and become members of the church as well. “For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” -1 Corinthians 10:30-33.

Today's Prayer: God, As I look back on my life I can see all the difficulties that You have allowed in my life and just how much Your hand played a part in my enduring them, even when I did not always have faith in You. I thank You for the cross that I bare and how You bring me to victory every time I place my faith and trust in You. I am glad to be a member of Your church and learning to live day by day on Your daily bread. I love You and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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