Our God Is Able To Do Exceedingly Abundantly
King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. Now write another decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king's signet ring -- for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked."
At once the royal secretaries were summoned -- on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai's orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.
. . . Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king's signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.
The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all of the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
. . . The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king's command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.
When Mordecai left the king's presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. . . . And many people became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
Esther 8:7-17
At once the royal secretaries were summoned -- on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai's orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.
. . . Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king's signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.
The king's edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all of the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
. . . The couriers, riding the royal horses, went out, spurred on by the king's command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa.
When Mordecai left the king's presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor. . . . And many people became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.
Esther 8:7-17
The Scripture reminds us that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think according to His power that is at work in us (Ephesians 3:20). The Scripture also assures us that when the mountains are quaking and the grounds are splitting up around us and there seems to be chaos all around, we should simply stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord! (Psalm 46). Knowing that God is ultimately in full control should quiet our hearts in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
The Book of Esther is simply a masterpiece of how God works behind the scenes to protect and uphold His people and His purposes. It is a glimpse into the incredible power of God to unleash devastation on those who rise up against the righteous and God's Kingdom purposes. The lesson is clear: Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ever ask or think!
So: An adopted girl living in a foreign land gains divine favor and becomes Queen in that foreign land! A hated Jew walking around in sackcloth and ashes, sitting at the king's gate and waiting to be impaled on a pole is instead exalted by God, and his avowed enemy is impaled on that very pole, he is given the ring of honor and authority that used to be on the finger of that same enemy, as well as control of the estate and wealth of that enemy! A hated people now become a celebrated people with many changing their nationalities to join them! A bewildered city, Susa, now becomes a celebrating city! Who could ever have imagined that?
So, question: Are you troubled and frightened because you seem boxed in and hopeless? Are you afraid because there seems to be chaos and darkness all around with no hope in sight? Are the finances chaotic? Is the family in turmoil? Is the job situation unbearable? Are relationships taking a toll on you? Do you feel very lonely and even frightened about what lies ahead? Is there a rather unsettling health issue? Are you frightened when you think of what lies ahead?
Well, all that is very real but also remember that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you are asking or thinking right now.
May God surprise you beyond your expectations! May God replace your ashes with beauty. May God give you the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for any spirit of heaviness you might be experiencing today. May your weeping only last for a night. May joy come forth in the morning. Amen!
The Book of Esther is simply a masterpiece of how God works behind the scenes to protect and uphold His people and His purposes. It is a glimpse into the incredible power of God to unleash devastation on those who rise up against the righteous and God's Kingdom purposes. The lesson is clear: Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ever ask or think!
So: An adopted girl living in a foreign land gains divine favor and becomes Queen in that foreign land! A hated Jew walking around in sackcloth and ashes, sitting at the king's gate and waiting to be impaled on a pole is instead exalted by God, and his avowed enemy is impaled on that very pole, he is given the ring of honor and authority that used to be on the finger of that same enemy, as well as control of the estate and wealth of that enemy! A hated people now become a celebrated people with many changing their nationalities to join them! A bewildered city, Susa, now becomes a celebrating city! Who could ever have imagined that?
So, question: Are you troubled and frightened because you seem boxed in and hopeless? Are you afraid because there seems to be chaos and darkness all around with no hope in sight? Are the finances chaotic? Is the family in turmoil? Is the job situation unbearable? Are relationships taking a toll on you? Do you feel very lonely and even frightened about what lies ahead? Is there a rather unsettling health issue? Are you frightened when you think of what lies ahead?
Well, all that is very real but also remember that our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you are asking or thinking right now.
May God surprise you beyond your expectations! May God replace your ashes with beauty. May God give you the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for any spirit of heaviness you might be experiencing today. May your weeping only last for a night. May joy come forth in the morning. Amen!
Prayer: Thank you, Father. Amen.