FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

ESTHER

Read Esther Chapters 1–4

 

     Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah… This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.  Esther 2:7

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     Esther's story takes place when the Jews were captives in Persia. She was gathered up with many other beautiful young women into the harem of King Ahasuerus, and then chosen to be the queen.

     Esther's cousin, Mordecai had instructed her to be silent about her Jewish heritage, but then came her time of decision: Her people were in grave danger, and only she could approach the king to save them. After calling for a fast, she said, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." (4:16b)
     Esther could have never imagined, as she was being carried off into captivity that she would become Queen of Persia and the rescuer of her people. She couldn't see into the future, and neither can we. But we can trust in Jesus, the Son of Esther's God, to use us for His glory.

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     Lord, just as You had a plan for Esther, I know You have a plan for me and for each member of my family. Help us to trust and obey Your leading, knowing that you are in control of the events of our lives.

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     “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"   Esther 4:14 NIV

DISCOURAGEMENT

NEHEMIAH

Read Nehemiah 1–2; 4:1–15
     I answered them by saying, "The God of heaven will give us success."   Nehemiah 2:20a NIV

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     Nehemiah, a cupbearer for the King of Persia, received some alarming news from Judah: "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." (1:3)
     The king of Persia gave his permission for Nehemiah to go and help his people rebuild Jerusalem – but the enemies of the Jews were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. (2:10)

     Not only was the work overwhelming, leaving the people exhausted, but three local officials set out to discourage the people with ridicule and intimidation. When that didn’t work, they threatened to fight against them. Nehemiah encouraged the people to "Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes." (4:14)

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     Lord, in our homes and churches, we need encouragement for some of these same issues ; maintaining motivation, overcoming fatigue and dealing with our spiritual enemy who says we cannot succeed. Help us to remember Nehemiah's words: "The joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

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     "Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families…."   Nehemiah 4:13 NIV

RESTORATION AND BLESSING

RETURN TO JERUSALEM

Read Ezra 1–6

     In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia …” Ezra 1:1a NIV

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     When the prophesied seventy years of Israel’s captivity had past, God moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to send the people back to their land. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, "They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia". (Ezra 6:14)

 

     God had caused the Medes and the Persians to take over the Babylonian kingdom just in time to fulfill His Word. He used worldly powers to bring judgment on His people, and now He used them to bring restoration and blessing.

 

     The road to restoration was not easy; the people had to work hard to rebuild the destroyed temple–and later the city walls. They would face discouragement and harassment from their neighbors; but in spite of this, the work went on and they were restored to the land.

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     Thank you, Lord, that Your discipline is not forever, and its purpose is for our good–for You have said, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves,” (Hebrews 12:5–6 NIV)

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     "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalms 30:5 NIV

I WILL BRING THEM BACK

YOU HAVE NOT LISTENED

Read Jeremiah 25:1–11

 

     Therefore the LORD Almighty says this: "Because you have not listened to my words… This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years."   Jeremiah 25:8, 11 NIV

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     Josiah was a good king, who fought against idolatry, but the people continued to run after other gods. After Josiah's death, God brought a message through the prophet Jeremiah: “the LORD Almighty says this: "Because you have not listened to my words, I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon," (25:8-9a)
 

     God was going to allow His people to be carried off to Babylon for seventy years, and after that they would return to the land. Jeremiah had no choice but to faithfully declare God's message–even though no one wanted to hear it. When it actually happened, just as God had said, there could be no doubt that this was the Word of the Lord.

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     Heavenly Father, Give us faith to trust Your Word even when we see our nation ignoring it. We need courage to share the Truth in our generation even when no one wants to hear it. Help our churches to be faithful in teaching the Bible and declaring the gospel with clarity. Raise up godly men to lead our country in truth and righteousness.

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     "I will bring them (back) from the land of the north… They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble."   Jeremiah 31:8-9 NIV