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Psalm 120, 121, 122 - Day 965 (link to reading)
Scripture: Psalm 120 Commentary (enduring word.org): Psalm 122 carries the title A Song of Ascents. Of David. It is one of the four Songs of Ascents that is specifically attributed to King David. He wrote it both for what Jerusalem was in his day, and for what it would become under his son and their successors. David perhaps never made pilgrimage from a great distance to one of the major feasts, but he wrote Psalm 122 in the voice of one who did, and who had arrived at the Holy City. “David wrote it for the people to sing at the time of their goings up to the holy feasts at Jerusalem. It comes third in the series, and appears to be suitable to be sung when the people had entered the gates, and their feet stood within the city.” (Charles Spurgeon) Application: Singing familiar songs helps us remember our past experiences. When I think of the songs that I used to sing at Camp Erdman, I immediately smile and remember the fun memories. Prayer: Lord, You alone I long to worship... Esther 9 & 10 - Day 963 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 9:1-15 Commentary (redeeminggod.com): The story of Esther concludes in Esther 9-10 with a series of events which show that God is with His people, even when His presence is not actively recognized or seen. We have come a long way through Esther. We’ve seen a petty and foolish king take a beautiful young Jewish girl as his queen. Her name, of course, is Esther. She had an uncle named Mordecai who would not bow to a man named Haman, who was second in command. As a result, Haman hatched a wicked plot to not only kill Mordecai, but also wipe out all Jewish people. Esther set out on a Mission: Impossible to stop this plan of Haman, in order to saver her people from certain slaughter. Against impossible odds, and through a set of amazing, miraculous coincidences, she accomplished her mission. Proud Haman was put to death, while her humble and patient uncle Mordecai, receives the position of being second in command over the entire empire. The entire book has really been about two kinds of people, the proud and the humble. It is about what happens to those who are arrogant, and what happens to those who are meek. Even though God is not mentioned anywhere in the story, we see His hand at work everywhere, destroying the proud, and raising up the humble. Application: Although we can't see our own pride, we can choose our intentions to be or work toward being humble. Start by inviting friends and loved ones to hold you accountable to God's best for your life. Prayer: Lord, have mercy... Esther 8 - Day 962 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 8:1-12 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): Haman impaled on the very gallows he’d built for Mordecai still left a problem. The edict of the slaughter of the Jews was in place. According to Persian rule, no law could be revoked. But God had a plan, tying up the loose ends so His people would be spared. Esther pleaded before the king for something to be done. God moved in the heart of this pagan ruler who not only gave Haman’s estate to Esther but also gave carte blanche for the Jews to protect themselves against the previous edict and defend themselves, whatever it took. The new law went out across the 126 provinces. In a larger surprise, Mordecai was elevated within the government as a Prime Minister. God is the problem solver. Application: It's wonderful when everything works out for our good. However, life is full of ups and downs. Hang on to these stories. Read them over and over again to remind yourself that God is the problem solver. Prayer: Lord, remember me... Esther 7 - Day 961 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 7:1-6 Commentary (workingpreacher.org): the book of Esther serves to explain and authorize the festival of Purim, and also authorizes the use of violence, though regulated, by the Hebrew people against their enemies. Purim remembers and celebrates the deliverance of the Jews by Queen Esther. The lectionary portion tells us only that Jews are to celebrate “the days on which the Jews gained relief from their enemies” (9:22). Living as a religious minority requires careful and sophisticated judgments about how and when to claim Jewish identity. The question of how to claim Jewish identity occupies much of the early story about Esther and Mordecai, with different judgments at different times about hiding and revealing one’s Jewishness in varying contexts. Ultimately, deliverance comes through claiming Jewish identity. Esther takes a great risk in revealing her true Jewishness, though Mordecai points out that she is sure to die either way. Nevertheless, once revealed, the king responds favorably and the Jewish people are saved. While the powerful (and often evil) appear in control, there is an unseen hand at work in all things, leading to great reversals. Though God is never explicitly cited, the book shows a greater power at work throughout. God has not abandoned his people. No matter how bad things get for Jews under the hand of foreign powers, God is still God. This is a strong theme through post-exilic literature and so with Esther, too. These takeaways are pretty useful, too, for Christians who struggle to claim their identity within a dominant culture that would have them be Americans first, or employees first, or consumers first, other identities that compete for the hearts of those who follow Jesus. Application: Jesus never said that it would be easy (to be his apprentice/disciple), only that he would be with us. Prayer: Lord, show me Your face... Esther 6 - Day 960 (link to reading)
Scripture: Esther 6:1-14 Commentary (enduringword.org): This was a remarkable example of providence in action. King Ahasuerus cannot sleep, and he can choose 20 different diversions to fill his sleepless night – but he commands that a book be brought to him and read. The one commanded to bring the book could have brought any one book of the records of the chronicles, but he brought one particular book. The book could be opened to any page, but it was opened to the exact page telling the story of Mordecai and how he saved the king from assassination. God guided every step along the way. It was no coincidence that Haman entered the king’s court at just that moment; it was no coincidence that Haman came at that moment to ask for the execution of Mordecai; it was no coincidence that King Ahasuerus wanted to honor Mordecai at just that moment...If this book of Esther shows us anything, it shows us that God manages the affairs of men, even without their knowledge. God knows what He is doing and in the courts of heaven there are no coincidences or surprises. Application: It's easy to trust God and believe He is in control when life is good. However, when the opposite is true, and life is hard, that's when we have to remember all the good things that God has done for us. Prayer: Lord, You are worthy... |
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