ESTHER AND JOB

It's Saturday morning and one day away from Sunday!  I love Sundays!  Today, I have a men's meeting, visits to make, a funeral to hold for a 16 year old young man who died of liver cancer one month after being diagnosed, then I have a dinner this evening with the Korean pastor, his deacons and some of our staff.  It will be a full day, but God always provides the strength.  I'm reading in Esther and Job, and have time to write just two or three thoughts: 1) Esther is a book of God's protection and provision.  God protected the Jews from destruction once again in this book by replacing a queen and putting into her place a lovely Jewish girl named Esther.  She was raised by her uncle, Mordecai, who God also raises up in the kingdom.  They both face extinction by the hand of the evil Hamaan, whose pride will not suffer Mordecai not to bow down in his presence.  We know that pride goeth before a fall, but this book teaches us also that pride goeth before a hanging.  Hamaan was hung on 75 foot gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.  (Don't erect any plans for others destruction, you will fall on it!  He that diggeth a ditch shall surely fall into it.)  So many great verses in this short book, but the one I love is in chapter 4:16.  Knowing that going into the presence of the King unannounced could cost her her life, she has the Jews fast and pray for three days and goes into his presence saying: "If I perish, I perish."  The needs of her people were put above the needs of her life!!  I love it! 2) POSITION OF INFLUENCE TO HELP PEOPLE- At the end of the book, Mordecai is advanced in chapter 10:2, "the greatness of Mordecai, where unto the king advanced him,"... (vs.3) "For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus...."  "seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed."  His position was to seek their wealth and peace, and that is just what he did.  God places you and in in positions of leadership for a purpose... to seek the wealth and peace of God's people.  Look for your place today! 3) JOB... MAN OF CONVICTION- So many good verses in the first fifteen chapters of Job.  But here is my favorite verse in the whole book.  It is a verse that speaks of Job's devotion to God and conviction to do that which was right  Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:"  He was devoted to God no matter what!!  How about our devotion to God??  I hope we could say the very same thing.  We may get cancer, we may suffer loss, but can we go to Heaven gracefully??  That's my desire to love God no matter what the future holds.  Well, so much for today.  May God bless and tomorrow... is Sunday!!  Love you Mom and Dad!  See you in December for several days!  Pastor Mike Mutchler