Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Today's Chapters: Esther 1-3
Message Title: Stand By Your Morals

The Book of Esther is the seventeenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Mordecai and it was originally written to the Jews who where in Babylon. The timeline for these events took place approximately 521 BC to 509 BC. The purpose of the book was to continue showing the history of the Jews in captivity and to give an account for the care that God has for His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from the book is that God chooses all people to serve Him in some way, but prepares His own people to be witnesses and blessings to others no matter what nation He outs them in. “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.

The Book of Esther begins with a lavish, extravagant, and very long party that king Ahasuerus threw in show off the great riches and power of the kingdom. “When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.” - Esther 1:4-7,10,11.

When the king sent for his queen, he did so to show her off to a bunch of drunken men, but Vashti refused to give in to his demands, and out of anger, and perhaps pride, he took the counsel of these same men and had her dethroned. Vashti was not about to go against her morals because she was the queen, and because of that she was cast away. What was said about Vashti beyond that we do not know, but we do know that she was set free. As Christians, we are going to face many challenges, men and women alike, many of the will be to try to get us to go against our morals. We do not have to bow down to anyone who mistreats us, no matter who they are, Jesus sets us free from that bondage. What happens to us should we give in out of fear and do what they want anyway? God knows what we are going through, the suffering we face it is enough, but if we look to Him and trust Him, He will get us out of any situation we are in. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Now, Ahasuerus was in search of a new queen, he sent for young virgin women all throughout the nation, Esther was one of these woman. Esther was a Jew born into captivity, she was an orphan raised by her uncle Mordecai. Mordecai encourages Esther to join the women and after a year of a purification ritual Esther stood before the king. “Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of 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.” - Esther 2:2,11,16,17.

Esther won the kings favor simply because she was herself, while all the other women dressed themselves up to entice the king, Esther remained modest in presenting herself. Esther found herself in a situation over which she had no control, she could only trust God for direction and protection. We should never doubt that God is in ultimate control to protect us and provide for His people. He will always take care of us, no matter where we are. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” - Romans 8:27-29.

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. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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