Sunday in Esther and Job

Today is Sunday!  I so love Sundays!  I am looking forward to being with God's people and preaching God's Holy Word today.  I know that God's Word will change lives.  Today, I read in Esther and Job and here are a few thoughts: 1) SOUGHT THEIR WEALTH- It is said of Mordecai, in Esther 10:3, that he spent his last days: "seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed."  How wonderful to seek the success of others.  We too ought to live our remaining days looking out for others.  Figure out how you might help others and then let us work to that end.  We can be like Mordecai! 2) HEDGED IN AND BLESSED- Even Satan knew that Job was protected by God.  Remember that God had to remove His protection for Satan to even begin to attack Job.  We too can have this hedge of protection, and we should pray for it and expect it in the Christian Life.  No doubt trials will come our way, but our desire should be to be hedged in by God's goodness.  Job 1:10  "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land."  LORD, please hedge me in your blessings and all of my dear friends in the faith.  Help us LORD, our eyes are upon You! 3) SOWING AND REAPING- Another example of this is found in Job 4:8:  "Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same."  Job had observed this, but we have been told this from Scripture:  Galatians 6:7  "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." 4) MUD ON YOU?  Do you ever feel muddy?  I mean, do you love God with all of your heart, and yet sometimes find yourself slipping into some old habits, or thinking some "unholy" thoughts?  Speaking words of gossip instead of that which edifies?  Well, .... sure.  Sometimes we are not what we want to be.  Job's friend, Bildad, understood this and said in Job 8:11 "Can the rush grow up without mire?  can the flag grow without water?"  The idea is that the rush is going to have some mud upon it because it grows in mud!  We are going to have some earthly residue upon us because we live on earth!!  I know we are in the world, but not of the world, but we still live in the world, and it will always work to affect us..... and it will!  So, do we yield to it... NO!  We fight it, but still.... we live with the understanding that we will have some mud upon us from time to time!!  Look up Job 15: 14 & 16 too. Well, I'm going to get ready for Church!  Cannot wait to stand out front and greet God's people.  Loving it!   Have a blessed day!  Dr. Mike Mutchler