From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Fri, Nov 25, 2022 at 5:58 AM
Subject: 11-25-22 THOUGHTS
11-25-22 THOUGHTS
Our story today comes from the book of Esther. Persia is the power country and Ahasuerus, is king. The evil and powerful Haman plots to destroy all the Jews who have been captive for some time. Esther has been made queen, but even she must have permission to enter the King’s presence. In those times, a violation of that policy could mean death. But intervention is needed or the plan will succeed. Mordecai is Esther’s uncle. It’s a sweet story of deliverance and courage. Maybe it’s the courage we need to meditate on today? Do I need a sense of purpose for my life? Why am I here? Could I be a piece of kindling wood for a large fire?
Esther 4:5-16 Then Esther summoned Hathach from the king’s eunuchs, whom the king had appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai to the city square in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict which had been issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show Esther and inform her, and to order her to go in to the king to implore his favor and to plead with him for her people. 9 Hathach came back and related Mordecai’s words to Esther. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai: 11 "All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days." 12 They related Esther’s words to Mordecai. 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. 14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" 15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 "Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish."
My Prayer:
Father, may our lives and hearts belong to You in all. Keep us from wandering through life, and help us see our reason for living. May the cross and the resurrection always provide the foundation for our vision of purpose. Help Christ to be our life. May we live and die in the context of Jesus, and the company of his bride. Help us to think and behave soberly, and carefully. Help us to think about growth and fruit in our lives. Give us a zeal to serve you, O God. In the name of our Savior, Amen.
Pray for Heather and Bob.