STORY OF PURIM

A FUTURE AND A HOPE

Read the book of Esther

     That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him…."What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked.    Esther 6:1, 3

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     The book of Esther contains some similarities to the story of Joseph in Egypt. Esther and her guardian, Mordecai, were captives in Persia, and like Joseph, God’s providence brought them into favor with the King. Esther was crowned Queen - and Mordecai, in the end, was second only to King Ahasuerus. He (Mordecai) …was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen. (10:3b NKJV)

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     Mordecai ‘just happened’ to hear about a conspiracy against King Ahasuerus in time to warn Esther, and the king ‘just happened’ to awaken in the middle of the night–calling for the record that Mordecai had saved his life – just in time to foil the conspiracy by Haman to annihilate the Jews. (Esther 6-7)

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     The truth is that nothing ‘just happens’ to God's people. If we truly believe this, we will live with the confidence that God works out everything according to His good plan. Lord, remind me when I forget, that I will never be sorry for trusting in You.

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     This morning as I look at my calendar and see that tomorrow (Feb 28, 2010) is the feast of Purim, I am moved to pause and pray for Israel.  In God's special purpose Esther was placed in her position as queen to the king of Persia (Iran) . She called on the people to fast and pray as she risked her life to plead for her people. God answered their urgent prayers and the Jews were given permission to rise up and defend themselves against their enemies.

     Today Israel is once again surrounded by her enemies, in particular Iran. The Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and in so doing, we are also praying for the peace of America. This feast of Purim is a good time to stop and pray to our God who has promised never to forget His people.

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"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."   Jeremiah 29