Do not those who devise evil go astray? But those who plan good exhibit faithful covenant love.
Proverbs 14:22
Have you ever played the role of Haman? While I hate to admit it, I can look back on my life and see moments, if not seasons of ‘Haman’ in me. Perhaps you know the feeling as well … You know what you want in life, so you pursue it … There’s nothing wrong with that, but then you plan and plot and dwell on it. You are so focused on the end result that little else matters, and you chase after it at all costs. You find yourself unhappy with everyone and everything around you, and continue to plot and plan, determined to make your desire/dream a reality. Yet all the while, you are leading yourself further and further away from it.
Friends, one thing is clear – we cannot chase God’s way if our eyes are on ourselves and our desires, and/or the world around us.
Consider this, Haman already had a ranking position and the trust of the king, as well as the added glory of the people bowing to him. However, he was so angered by the fact that Mordecai would not bow to him … and so intent on destroying the Jews that he lost his way and fell prey to his own evil plans.
May God help us to keep our eyes on Him and always move toward what is good and right, that we might experience and exhibit His faithful covenant love. – Amen
The More We Know
Be sure and follow the link below for today’s wonderful post from Love God Greatly.
Based on w3d5 of For Such a Time As This, by Love God Greatly, p109
Read: Esther 4:15-17 and SOAP: Psalm 32:8
I will instruct and teach you about how you should live. I will advise you as I look you in the eye.
Psalm 32:8
Esther’s story is full of drama, and for those unfamiliar with the story, there is undoubtedly intrigue. The Jews are facing annihilation by edict of the king. Mordecai has sent word for Esther to talk to the king about what is about to happen and why. Esther has responded with the reminder that she cannot do that because entering the king’s presence without invitation can end in death, and most recently, Mordecai has lovingly and necessarily admonished Esther with the reminder that “she may very well have achieved royal statusfor such a time as this.”Today, we read Esther’s reply, a beautiful and bold statement of her faith. May we be so bold with our faith.
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast on my behalf. Don’t eat and don’t drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish.”
based on w3d3 of For Such A Time As This, by Love God Greatly, p101
Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love.
Proverbs 20:28
Consider this question as you read today’s journal entry: When the ways or call of God on your life come with “high stakes,” what do you do?
I’ve shared today’s LGG Journal page … but what I encourage you to read is their blog post for this day. It’s truly one of the best I’ve ever read from them. Please use the link below, as we are a week behind their schedule. – Friends, if you are short on time, scroll past the devotion and read the blog post – you won’t want to miss it.
Corrie and Esther’s stories should encourage our unsteady hearts to not give way to fear but to trust that God’s faithful love will serve as our sure foundation. Earthly authority may not give an audience to our petitions, but as God’s royal daughters we always have total access to the loving ear of God Almighty. You and I can confidently approach His throne of grace today and find the mercy and help we desperately need for whatever situation we are facing.
LoveGodGreatly.com/w3d3blogpost – click the button below for the full post
“Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.” Proverbs 25:19
Friends, I am having ongoing problems with my eye and am trying to limit my screen time. Unfortunately, since my job requires a good deal of screen time, blogging and studying must be curtailed for at least another week. Meanwhile, I will be posting the journal entries here along with the reading for the day, as well as links for more insight. – I hope you’ll stick with me for the journey and keep my eye situation in your prayers.
Come, let us bow down and worship. Let us kneel before the Lord, our Creator.
Psalm 95:6
This first portion of this Psalm is a reminder of who God is and what He has done but also who we, as God’s people, are in connection to Him. It is equally a beautiful invitation to not only consider who He is but to respond to Him in worship. The psalmist calls the people of God not necessarily to a particular physical posture but foremost to a posture of the mind and heart. For surely if God’s people recall that He has protected and delivered them, if they remember His greatness – His superiority to all other gods, and the fact that the earth and the seas are His – surely then – they will be moved to worship Him with every part of their being.
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord. Let us shout out praises to our Protector who delivers us. 2Let us enter his presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout out to him in celebration. 3For the Lord is a great God, a great king who is superior to all gods. 4 The depths of the earth are in his hand, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down and worship. Let us kneel before the Lord, our Creator. 7 For he is our God; we are the people of his pasture, the sheep he owns. Today, if only you would obey him.
Psalm 95:1-7a
In today’s journey through Esther, we find Mordecai still among the servants in the king’s gates. This position has proven helpful thus far, but now he finds himself in a place where he is called to bow down and pay homage (a show of great respect and honor) to Haman, the king’s highest official. I am always delighted to read that Mordecai not only refused to bow or pay homage, but he also let it be known to the other servants of the king that he was a Jew, which was the reason he would not bow. While his revelation of his lineage stood in contrast to his instructions that Esther stay silent about hers, there was a time and purpose for both, which, as we will see in the story, God uses and honors both.
Friends, living in the twenty-first century, we may not find ourselves sitting in a king’s gates or living with rulers who make us bow down to them or “pay homage.” However, I think we would be careless to miss the things and/or people who, in many ways, whether by coercion or following the cultural norms we do often “bow down to” or give more homage to than we do our God. Like Mordecai, as children of the one true living God, we are neither to worship nor bow down to any other (man or god). In light of the warning/reminder found in Psalm 95:7b-11, may we be careful and faithful to “bow down” (whether physically or in our attitude) and worship only before the Lord, our Creator. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep He owns. Today, let us commit to living obediently with hearts and attitudes of honor and worship before Him.
Prayer
Father, there is no one like You, no other god, and no other man who compares to You. You are the true and living God who has loved us with an unfathomable love. You have lavished that love on us. We were prisoners on death row, and You offered us freedom through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. You have washed us white as snow and filled us with Your Spirit, empowering us to live and love like Jesus and to know You as a child knows his/her father. I am mesmerized by You and truly stand with hands raised and head bowed in awe of You. – Thank You for the example of Mordecai and for the reminder to bend our knees to no one and nothing else besides You. In the name of Jesus – for Your eternal glory, Amen!
You are Lord of creation And Lord of my life Lord of the land and the sea You were Lord of the heavens Before there was time Lord of all lords You will be … We bow down And we worship You Lord We bow down And we worship You Lord We bow down And we worship You Lord Lord of all Lords You will be
The second portion of Psalm 95:6 is in part an invitation to remember what happens when we turn away from God; yet it is also a warning of sorts. The people had seen what God could do and would do on their behalf, and yet they challenged His authority and tried His patience with their disobedience and refusal to return to Him. They chose other gods and the ways of the people around them, and roused God’s anger against them. May we remember this warning from the Psalmist: not to be stubborn but obedient. May we not challenge His authority and try His patience, but remember the work of His hands and heart for His people. May we not disgust Him as that generation did, but instead bring Him honor by obeying His commands. Let us be careful not to rouse His anger but faithfully press on to the high calling and one day dwell with Him forever.
Today, if only you would obey him. 8 He says, “Do not be stubborn like they were at Meribah, like they were that day at Massah in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors challenged my authority, and tried my patience, even though they had seen my work. 10 For forty years I was continually disgusted with that generation, and I said, ‘These people desire to go astray; they do not obey my commands.’ 11 So I made a vow in my anger, ‘They will never enter into the resting place I had set aside for them.’”
However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:33
As we saw yesterday, the king’s counsel was not from “godly” men. Yet, when we observe the story of Esther carefully, we will see that God was working behind the scenes, setting the stage for Esther, a Jew, to become queen to the King of Persia.
Today’s study of Esther focuses on verses nineteen through twenty-two, which detail the advice given to the King by his counselors. Counsel that basically banished Queen Vashti and allowed for the King to choose a new queen. However, the passage also emphasizes the importance of making this known throughout the kingdom so that all the women will give honor to their husbands. Friends, whether we are married or unmarried, we must remember that “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
I realize that if we are not married, we may want to say Ephesians 5:33 doesn’t speak to us. However, as that thought came to my own mind, I was reminded that it is the call of God on every believer to love and respect Him (Deut 6:5; Mark 12:29-30). Likewise, regardless of our marital status, Jesus made it clear that we are to love others as He has loved us, (John 13:34); There is no qualifying statement indicating that we only have to do this “If he respects us;” nor do I find a qualifier for the words of Christ – commanding that we love just as He has loved us. Yet, I did find it good and helpful to read these words from today’s journal posting. I pray they are a blessing to you as well.
Marriage is a beautiful reflection of God’s love when both husband and wife seek to honor Him. In Ephesians 5:33, we’re reminded of the delicate balance in marriage. A husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the church, and a wife is called to respect her husband. Both love and respect are essential for a thriving marriage. Just as a wife longs to feel loved, a husband desires to feel valued and respected.
But what happens when this balance is broken? In the story of King Ahasuerus and Queen Vashti, we see the consequences of love and respect missing from their relationship. The king’s request put Queen Vashti in a difficult position, asking her to do something she wasn’t comfortable with. Instead of protecting her, he unlovingly placed her in a situation that ultimately cost her the crown. This is not the way God intended marriage to be.
For those of us who are married, respecting our husbands is one way we show them love and appreciation. It’s how they feel cherished for the ways they lead and serve our families. But above all, we must first respect and honor God with our actions. When we choose to obey God, even when it’s hard, we trust that He sees us and will care for us, no matter the outcome.
Sweet sister, if you find yourself in a situation where standing up for what is right could come at a cost, be encouraged. God sees your heart, and He will always honor your obedience to Him.”
For Such A Time As This/journal p53
Prayer
Father, I pray for courage for every woman who belongs to you to courageously stand for what is right. For those who are married, help them, even when it is difficult, to honor You in their marriage by showing love and respect to their husbands. Whether we are married or unmarried, Father, help us honor You in all areas of our lives, trusting You to protect us and provide for every situation. Yes and Amen in Jesus’ name!
Today’s portion of our journey has been a sweet reminder to be thankful for the wise and godly counsel God has provided for me throughout my life. From parents to grandparents, to Pastors, teachers, and Christian friends, the blessing of godly wisdom/counsel has been readily available. I have sought it often and treasure it greatly. Sadly, this was not the case with King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes, as he was otherwise known). Xerxes had many advisers, but none who would lead him with godly wisdom. Because they were worldly, they imparted worldly wisdom to the king, “which led him down a path of confusion and poor decisions.”1
Even with Godly counsel at my disposal, it is easy to succumb to or even listen to the “voices that are loudest or most convenient. Social media, self-help books, or even well-meaning friends can quickly become our go-to sources for advice.2” However, Scripture tells us to seek God’s will in all we do, not to depend on our own understanding, but let Him show us which way to go. As Proverbs 14:8 points out, to do it any other way is the foolishness of fools. Godly wisdom is rooted in His Word, and His Word will never lead us wrong or fail us.
Who we choose to walk alongside us in these moments makes all the difference. Are we surrounding ourselves with people who point us back to God’s truth! Are they speaking God’s truth into our situations or adding more confusion?
For Such a Time As This, Journal, p49
I ache for those who do not know God and those who have no true concern for His opinion. How sad and dangerous it is for those who do not know what it is like to have faith and confidence in Him and His wisdom and truth. Their concern is with the earthly kingdom and what will please or displease others, or what will get them where they want to go, rather than with what is good and right to do and what leads them where God wants them to go. May we be ready disciples of the Word – ready with an answer for the hope that is in us, ready to point others to God’s truth, which is light and life and peace.
Note: There is more than poor counsel and sorrow in today’s passage. For while we do not see/read His name on the pages of the book of Esther, God was working all things together for the good of His people. Keep your eyes open and jot down glimpses you catch of Him throughout the journey. Training ourselves to do this can make such a difference in our own lives when we are struggling to see or sense His presence. – How have you seen Him working in your life? Do you see Him today?
Prayer
Father, teach us and help us to seek Your wisdom above all when troubles come our way. Thank You for the people You have surrounded me with throughout my life – who belong to You, love You, and have imparted wisdom and counsel from Your Word. Help me to do the same for others – In Jesus’ Name – Amen.
based on the study, For Such A Time As This, by Love God Greatly: w1d1
Scripture Road Map: Esther 1:1-8 and Matthew 6:19-21
SOAP: Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:19-21
We are primarily focusing on Jesus’ instructions to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven rather than on earth. However, it is worth noting a few things about the passage from Esther, namely, the king’s celebration. King Xerxes(also known as Ahasurerus) “gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He invited all the military officers of Persia and Media, as well as the princes and nobles of the provinces. The celebration lasted 180 days—a tremendous display of the opulent wealth of his empire and the pomp and splendor of his majesty.” While he offered up a lavish amount of food and drink for his guests the King and his treasures seemed to be the center of the celebration – as he “displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time.
Earth is decaying and ruled by the king of liars and thieves. Heaven is ruled by Almighty God, it is indestructible and cannot be penetrated by thieves.
Mefromthensideout.com🦋
The picture painted by King Xerxes’ celebration is in stark contrast to the focal point of today’s journey found in Matthew 6:19-21, where we are encouraged to amass heavenly treasures. Matthew records the instructions of Jesus to His disciples to not be caught up with earthly treasures that will decay and/or be stolen. Instead, they were to be storing up treasures in Heaven, where nothing could destroy them and no one would break in and steal them. Jesus’s explanation of why this matters can be found in verse 21, where He warns that wherever our treasure is, that’s where the focus of our heart will be also.
Throughout Scripture, God instructs and invites us to come to Him – to know Him and make Him known. We are to give Him glory and honor1, to celebrate Him for who He is and what He’s done. We are to stand amazed in His presence, to worship Him, to love Him above and before all things – with all of our being. As believers, our hearts are to be His throne (1 Peter 3:15). In other words, we are to set apart (honor, regard, worship, sanctify) the Lord God in our hearts. Without question, He is to have first place in our lives (Mark 12:29-30), and we are to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3).
Recently, when my mother moved to an assisted-living facility and we packed up her things, I found myself using the word ‘treasure’ a lot. I was also reminded of earthly decay as we emptied the attic. Hoping to ward off the threat of thieves, we were careful to make the house look lived in until everything had been moved out. My house has always had treasures within its walls, but it is far fuller since Mom’s move. The items would likely be meaningless to most, but to me, they are precious treasures, holding memories of people or events from the past. Some rank as antiques, while others have simply been passed down from one generation to the next. Dishes, furniture, pictures, jewelry, family Bibles, and my dad’s football helmet are among the items. While I don’t believe any of the pieces are an offense to God, Jesus’ words from our journey today are a reminder that they all fall under the category of “earthly treasures” that will decay.
Certainly, there is nothing wrong with gathering and enjoying treasures and heirlooms from my mom’s home. However, the words we find in Matthew chapter six are a good and necessary exhortation that we must be careful about what place these treasures hold in our hearts. The treasures Jesus tells us to store up are different than furniture, pictures, or other special items. Rather, “heavenly treasures,” as Bibleref.com points out, are “eternal rewards. They cannot be lost to moths, rust, thieves, or anything else. In financial terminology, they are a far better investment.” The commentary goes on to answer the question, “How did Jesus mean for His followers to store up rewards for themselves in heaven? He has spoken a few times in this Sermon on the Mount of acts God will reward. These have included being persecuted for Jesus’ sake (Matthew 5:11–12); giving to the needy in secret (Matthew 6:4), praying in secret (Matthew 6:6) and fasting without calling attention to oneself (Matthew 6:18). In short, God rewards His people when they lead lives of sincere devotion and worship to Him.2“
Friends, when our lives are centered around God, when He sits enthroned on our hearts, we become different, transformed from the inside out. Our thoughts and focus, our decisions and choices, our conversations and actions, and our treasures will all glorify and honor Him.
Now that Jesus had been arrested, the religious leaders wanted to try Him for His crimes. Jesus was tried six different times: the first three trials were before Jewish leadership, and the second three trials were before Roman officials. All six trials were expedited because the religious establishment wanted to arrive at the death sentence before the news of Jesus’ arrest got out among the people. Also, they needed the death sentence to be carried out before the Sabbath Day, which started Friday evening. The sixth and final trial takes place before Pilate. He renders his decision on the basis of expediency rather than truth or justice; he firmly believes Jesus to be an innocent man, but he also fears a riot and wants to satisfy the crowds who are yelling, “crucify Him!” In just a few hours, Jesus is tried six times and sentenced to death by crucifixion.
It’s almost 9 am as Jesus begins His journey to Golgotha by carrying His cross. At some point along the way, Roman soldiers force a man named Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross because He is too weak. The site of Jesus’ crucifixion was outside of the city in keeping with the Jewish law requirement for executions (Heb.13:12). None of the Gospel authors provide any details concerning the actual crucifixion; they simply note the fact that it happened. Jesus was crucified at the third hour of the day (Mark 15:25), which is 9 am. Even on the cross, Jesus’ enemies continue to mock Him to the very end, “…He saved others, but He cannot save Himself…” (Luke 23:35-38). The irony is that if Jesus had come down from the cross, He would have saved Himself but not others. At noon, darkness descends on the land (Mark 15:33), lasting for three hours. At 3 pm, Jesus died for the sins of humanity (Luke 23:46). Immediately, the earth shook, and the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying that God’s people will now have direct access to God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus was taken off the cross before sundown and placed in a tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea (Nicodemus assisted with the burial of the body). Two women, Mary Magdalene, and Mary (the mother of Joses) (Mark 15:47) observe Jesus’ burial location. They believe His body has not been sufficiently prepared because of the hasty nature of His burial; they plan to return after the Sabbath with additional spices and ointments.1
… Before we rush to Resurrection Sunday, let’s sit with the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice today. Let us sit with the pain of the Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), who endured the wrath of God at the cross. Let us ponder the injustice of the spotless Lamb of God punished for our sins. Let us marvel at the astounding death of the Creator of life. Let us worship the King of glory who let go of the splendor of heaven to become flesh and blood, to humble Himself, to hunger and thirst, to suffer and hurt, to be betrayed and rejected, mocked and humiliated — all for love.
For the Good Friday Devo, please click the button below – you won’t want to miss it!
Jesus had already made initial contact with some of His followers in Jerusalem to secure a place in which the group would share in the Passover meal. Some scholars believe that Jesus’ arrangement of the meal location was made secretly so as to prevent Judas’ betrayal plot from interrupting the meal. Sometime during the meal, Jesus gets up and washes the disciples’ feet, even the feet of Judas. Jesus knew that Judas had already planned to betray Him (Jn.13:11), but He still proceeded to wash his feet anyway – that is the epitome of love. After the foot washing, Jesus makes a public declaration that there is a traitor at the table; the disciples are a bit confused about what Jesus meant, but Judas understands and promptly leaves the group to commence his actions of betrayal. As Jesus and His disciples continued the Passover meal, Jesus abruptly introduced a completely new explanation of the symbolism of bread and wine. These two elements now become part of our present-day observance of the Lord’s Supper (communion) as we remember His body and blood that were given in sacrifice for all humanity.
As the evening continues on, Jesus gives His followers some additional instructions because He knows that the time of His death is quickly approaching. These instructions are collected into a body of material that we often call the Upper Room Discourse. We can thank the Apostle John, as he is the only Gospel writer who includes this material (John 14-17). Toward the end of this discourse, Jesus offers up a prayer for His disciples (Jn.17:6-19) because He knows that these same disciples who are sitting at the table will fail in the face of persecution that very night. Specifically, He singles out Peter, saying that before the rooster crows, Peter will have denied Jesus three times. Of course, Peter vehemently denies that this would ever happen, assuring the Lord that he would follow Him to prison, even to death.
The night is late, and Jesus and His disciples head to the Garden of Gethsemane. The time for teaching and instruction is over, and the time for sorrow and distress is here. Jesus instructs the disciples to sit in a certain location while He takes Peter, James, and John with Him a little further to pray. Jesus pours out His heart to the Father, asking Him if there is any other way in which redemption can happen that would not include the cross. He knows He is about to bear God’s judgment as a sin sacrifice for all the world. Nevertheless, He knows that the Father’s will is by way of the cross, and He willingly submits Himself to the Father’s plan. Taking a break from His time of prayer with the Father, Jesus finds His disciples fast asleep. The only source of human support and help during the hardest moment of His life was sleeping away. Yet even in this shocking moment of the disciples’ carelessness, Jesus is more concerned for their welfare than His own – He knows that they, too, must pray so that they can be equipped to face the difficulties that lie ahead (Matt.26:41).
Judas, who left the scene earlier, now returns with a group of chief priests, Pharisees, and some Roman soldiers. Jesus steps forward and asks the group who they are here for, and when they answer, “Jesus of Nazareth,” Jesus replies, “I am HE.” When Jesus spoke these words (reminiscent of the phrase “I AM” in Exodus 3:14), the power behind those words caused the soldiers to retreat back and fall to the ground! Jesus permits the soldiers to arrest Him so long as they don’t arrest His followers. However, Peter does briefly resist by cutting off the right ear of the high priest’s servant; Jesus miraculously heals the ear and tells Peter that He must follow the Father’s plan. At this point, all the disciples flee the scene, leaving Jesus deserted and alone.
Events that happened this day: • The Passover meal: Mt.26:17-29; Mk.14:12-23; Lk.22:7-30; Jn.13:1-17:26 • Jesus predicts Peter’s betrayals: Mt.26:31-35; Mk.14:27-31; Lk.22:31-34 • The Garden of Gethsemane: Mt.26:36-46; Mk.14:32-42; Lk.22:40-46 • Jesus is betrayed: Mt.26:47-56; Mk.14:43-52; Lk.22:47-53; Jn.18:2-121
For Maunday Thursday Devo, please click the button below – you won’t want to miss it!
Me From the Inside Out 