Remember when?
Eyes lightly shut, that particular smell recreates a moment when I was young…the mexican cantina below, open air brightly lit night sky, sandy bathroom floor, hand-washing my clothes for the next day’s wearing. What is this art of remembering? My dad taught me well. After a sunny bluebird day on the mountain, he said “Charity take a picture in your mind, this is one of those days you won’t want to ever forget.” The sun was setting the colors vivid in my mind swirling across the peaks and sky my body worn and happy. Take a moment and remember one of those extraordinary days will you?
Now, let’s review Esther’s final 2 chapters and recall together the events.
Esther spoke again to the King by boldly coming forward she told the King what Mordecai (the Father she did not have, the only family left) was to her. Why, further persist Haman was hung? Her immediate threat gone. Yet God strengthens her boldness again to be open about her kindred. She is not satisfied to just stop at Mordecai’s promotion, she petitions for her people. Our challenge is often to further the Gospel, beyond our lives.
It strikes me as Mordecai is honored, how a city rejoices when the righteous are promoted. The corrupt leadership is replaced now by a man of great faith. He had trusted in advance and declared to Esther that deliverance would come, whether by her or someone else. Mordecai’s faith was firm in God.
It is written the Jews had a light (a dawn of new hope) gladness, joy, and honor at the news of their deliverance. In their gladness they also consider others. The people give choice portions to one another and gifts to the poor. God had turned their mourning into gladness. Conversions among the people of the land multiplied at the news. Esther and the Jews avenge themselves of all adversaries and to celebrate call an annual feast because “these days should be remembered”.
Do you remember God’s work in your life? Do you remember a great turn around in your family story? Sometimes we think how could we ever forget? However, Israel forgot the Red Sea deliverance as is written in Psalm 106:12 Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. 13 But they hastily forgot His works; they did not wait for His plans.
God’s works should be remembered. Share the truth, as Paul did in Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, breth, that what has happened to me this imprisonment has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the spreading of the Good News.
God’s works should be remembered. Share the truth, as Paul did in Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, breth, that what has happened to me this imprisonment has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the spreading of the Good News.
Today be stirred by the words written in: Psalm 118:13 You my adversary thrust sorely as me that I might fall, but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my Strength and Song; and He has become my Salvation.
At the close of today’s reading take sometime to re-live and remember the works of the Lord. Families often gather, and my challenge is for you to re-tell to those younger generations the works God has demonstrated in your life. It is summer, an evening campfire, or lakeside view, a weekend brunch…all are opportune moments to remember the work of Christ in your life.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight). (Philippians 1:3, 4 AMP)
