HONOUR AND DISHONOUR
Today’s Reading: Esther 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A horse grazing among the ruins of ancient Jerash in Jordan. Jerash was a Greco-Roman city located 80 miles north of Amman, the capital of the modern kingdom of Jordan, near the place where Gideon and his 300 crossed over Jordan.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Esther 5:13, 6:1
Yet all this avails me nothing as long as I see Mordecai, the Jew, sitting at the king’s gate…That night the king could not sleep. So he commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.
“Great riches,” “multitude of children,” “promotion and advancement,” and the Queen’s invitation to dinner to no one else were meaningless to Haman because of his wounded ego. When this world’s gain is all we have, the least thing that goes wrong can spoil it all. Scripture teaches, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (read 1 Timothy 6:3-11).
A couple of movies have been made in recent years on “Esther” (click here for one, and here to watch another). It would be humorous if it was not so tragic, that Haman gets his just desserts when he has to do for the Jew what he thought was the honour he, himself, deserved. We cannot miss the protecting hand of God on his servant Mordecai. Haman, at the suggestion of his wife, built a gallows so high that everyone in the capital city could see who was hanged on it. Haman was hung on his own gallows. What are we building in our lives? Is it on a foundation of truth and a structure of love and righteousness, or is it a gallows on which we ourselves will be hung?
Let us meditate on Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” These words would not be written by Paul for another 540 years, but Mordecai knew the truth of this promise from God. Amen!!! Probably Mordecai knew the truth of God’s promise to Samuel, the prophet of God, written at least 500 years before, “Those who honour Me, I will honour” (1 Samuel 2:30b).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You promised that if I acknowledge You (know who You are and recognize You), You will direct my paths (Proverbs 3:6). I pray that I will fully embrace Your promises and know without doubting that You keep Your promises. Thank You for this amazing grace! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Proverbs 3:5-6 are Norma-Jean’s life verses. Among the songs she has written, she has put some verses of Scripture to music. Below is her sheet music for that song “He Shall Direct Thy Paths.” Along with our daughter, Elaine Stacey, Norma-Jean and I have sung this live on the 100 Huntley Street telecast (if I can locate the video, I’ll give you a link to it in the next day or so).
On my way to the church where Norma-Jean and I were married (now a French Roman Catholic Church where I have brought the homily), on Ainsley Street in Cambridge, Ontario, I prayed, “Lord if this marriage is not Your perfect will, You can still stop it.” I surely did not want it stopped, but my understanding of the promise of God’s direction is that I must be willing for Him to intervene and change my direction. I’ve experienced His intervention to stop my intentions several times. I have the gas pedal and the brakes of my life under my control, but I take my hands off the steering wheel, trusting Him to steer my life. Is that good advice or not? If I happen to see Mordecai sometime in the eternal future, I’ll ask him what he thinks!
Yours for God’s overruling guidance based on our willingness for Him to be in control of our destinies,
David
P.S. Below is the published sheet music of Norma-Jean’s song that I referred to above. Click on the images to enlarge them (and print, if you wish).
Hello, I do some homecare on Wednesdays so that is the reason I have not responded until now dear saints. Great blog again David about how God protected his people. Unfortunately, there were no Esthers for His people during WW2. Looking forward to watching the movie. Kathy, the word apostle means,” sent one”. There were 12 apostles or disciples and Paul called himself an apostle of Jesus Christ. I always taught that an apostle was a modern day missionary as the apostle Paul certainly was a sent out one by the Holy Ghost. (Acts 13:4). Any other opinions? Thank you Catherine, Beverlee, Sah and Kathy for your prayers for Billy and me. Always know that they are much appreciated even though I am unable to respond quickly. God bless you.
Thank you Ger. Still holding yoy in prayer, and Billy for recovery and rejuvenation. Thanks be to God, through Jesus Amen!!
Amen to your prayer Pastor Mainse.
Thanks for the beautiful music & lyrics by Norma-Jean. (Proverbs 3: 5,6)
Titled HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS.
The words are very meaningful and worth memorizing.
May God bless all on this blog, Amen.
It would be nice to hear the video those scriptures were given to me
when I became a born again christian, and they have helped me many
times Ester is one of my favorite books in Gods word.
Have a wonderful day everyone .
For me too Lianne !
Wow! That first video was so long (and the closed captioning was way off). Did not make sense 95% of the time! I cannot finish this blog now. My schedule is all off and I have important things to do. I don’t know how to leave a movie and then carry on later in the place that I left it. A lot of license was taken in that first video. Will have to get back to it tonight.
I have that music on a CD from years ago! I like to play it when driving but have to be careful when encountering rough Hamilton and area roads – the CDs can get scratched!
Looking forward to viewing the videos when time permits. It certainly doesn’t pay to puff ourselves up. God was definitely with Esther and Mordecai.
Found these two hymns with the same message and how great to see and hear a young man sing praises to our heavenly Father. Steal Away to Jesus. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/xdXm1CVOSy0, https://youtu.be/8owmYIrdG9Y
Amen David I’m SURE Mordecai will be impressed! Yesterday my daughter announced she’s going to visit Grandma today (3 hours away)and I thought how lovely it would be to join her but I have SO much to do here. While reading your blog today I was interrupted by a phone call. It was my husband and he said why don’t.t you go with her? So I will! It really is that easy!
Blessings to all for a Spirit-led day and to just Go With His Flow!!
this makes me smile:)
Amen to your prayer indeed, Pastor David..that too is my prayer…that “He leads me on paths of righteousness for His Names sake” and draws me back when I veer off that path; thank you Jesus, in You Mighty Name I pray. Amen!!
I’m looking forward to viewing the Esther Movies later through the day, and have printed off the sheet music…Thank you.
Prov 3:6-5 also one of my favorite…and one I hung on to especially, at a time of need when my middle son Peter in his teen years, was in a place of danger. Only by the Grace of God he is a believer and trust in the Lord.
Please pray for my sister Ollie, as she has to deal with having her husband Mervyn, placed into an extended care facility. He suffers advanced stages of dementia.
Praying for your sister, Ollie. Such a difficult time in many of our lives. God bless you Irene.
Wondering why my post is being moderated?
Sung with such passion–amen!! Here is the link:
David & Norma-Jean Mainse and Elaine Stacey – “He Shall Direct Thy Path”
http://crossroads360.com/article-david–norma-jean-mainse-and-elaine-stacey—he-shall-direct-thy-path/219273
Thank you for that Beverlee! It’s AMAZING!! My new song for the day. Blessings!
🙂
Very nice music and message. Thanks Beverlee
Thank you Beverlee , Love that song.. God Bless you all ….R….
Always enjoyed hearing you sing that song on 100 Huntley Street, Norma-Jean. Thanks!
Thank you Lynda for the prayer!!!
Thank you Beverlee for providing the link!
Dear David, I feel so desperate and down, I think I am dying, I feel scared and alone. Please God help my children to live without mother