ESTHER & JOB

I'm sitting in my rocking chair with my coffee close at hand.  It's dark outside and early, but a great day.... I can feel it.  I'm in Esther and Job today and there are two great things in common with these books.  Both main characters went through a great personal trial.  We think of Job when we think of trials, but Esther had to face some herself and it was a step of faith to do things the way the LORD was leading her.  In Esther 4:16 she said: "and if I perish, I perish."  Job said:  "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."  Both had faith that was more important than life and death.  Do we have that?  I hope we all do, for certainly many things are more important than life.  Our faith in Christ is one of those.  Here are a few truths for today: 1) WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS?- In Esther 5:13, Haman has been elevated by the King and yet Mordecai (one man in the kingdom) does not give him the respect he feels he deserves, and so he says in this verse: "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."  He had almost everything, but his focus was on what he did not have.  Now, the question is... where do we put our focus?  On the many blessings we have each and every day of our lives, or the few minor irritations that can cause us grief only if we dwell on them!  Do we see the many things our mates do for us, or the few things they don't?  Do we see the many fine things found in the lives of our children, or look at the few things that are not found in them?  How do we view the world, and on what do we focus?  Train your mind to focus on the good and to put away the things that would irritate us.  This type of training takes time, so start today and work at it.  Here is a good verse to keep in mind: Phil 4:8  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." CONSEQUENCES- Everything in life has a consequence with each action.  We are very foolish when we go about acting without giving thought to the consequences that will result.  Haman was so ego centric and foolish that he ignored thinking about any consequences and fool hardily built a gallows and tried to destroy a people (the Jews).  But in Esther 7:10, Haman was hung on those same gallows. (Eccl 10:8  "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it;") In chapter 9:13, his ten sons were hanged upon the same gallows; another 300 killed in Shushan in verse 15; and in 13:16, we see that 75,000 of the Jews enemies were killed in one day across the kingdom.  Little did Haman think in his plot that 75,311 would die as a consequence of his plotting!  Every action has a reaction!  Think before you act!  Wise as serpents, harmless as doves!  YET TROUBLE CAME- Job said in Job 3:26 "I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came."  He was looking for trouble, diligent, observant, on guard, and yet.... trouble still came!  People.... it is a part of life!!  Grit your teeth, cry out to God, weep if you must, but it is still a part of life!!  Fast and pray, serve God diligently, read your Bible daily, get in a good church and live for Jesus Christ, and still .... trouble will come!!  It is a part of life!!  So here is the deal..... the only difference is that you will not face your troubles alone.  Jesus Christ will be with you, and you can lean on Him as much or as little as you want!  Lean little and hurt much, or lean much and hurt little.... the choice is ours!! Well dear friend, the time is come and gone.... the day is lightening up outside and I must be about my work.  May God bless you today!!   Dr. Mike Mutchler