Wednesday, August 7, 2019

A FEAST

Today’s Reading: Esther 7-8

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

A meal is prepared in first century style at Nazareth Village in Nazareth. The feast Esther prepared for the King and Haman would have had more expensive tableware, but was probably not any more delicious.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: Esther 8:3

Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews.

 

In today’s reading, the Jews of the entire Persian Empire are still under the decree of Death. Unless the order of the King was modified in some way, every Jew would die. As a result of the intercession of Esther, a new decree went out. Jews were to defend themselves against attack. Not only were the Jews saved, but it became so attractive to be a Jew that Esther 8:17b tells us that many Persians were converted to Judaism. The Feast of Purim was established to celebrate the deliverance of the Jews from destruction. This feast is celebrated to this day.

Think of all that can be accomplished if we, like Esther, refuse to put ourselves first, refuse to play it safe, and refuse to hide our true identity as God’s people. We have the opportunity and obligation to intercede, not with an Ahasuerus, but with the God of the Universe. He desires only the best for us, but He has limited Himself to acting on our behalf in response to our prayers. James 5:16 says, “The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man (this includes women) avails much.” His sceptre is extended to us. Scripture urges us to “Come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I come before You now. Thank You that in Your great love and mercy, You have extended the invitation to come to You. I am here in Your presence. Once again I ask for Your help. This is a time of need! People are about to perish without Your direct intervention. I come in the Name of the One who “ever lives to make intercession for them,” Jesus, our High Priest. I pray that I will share today the greatest possible help anyone can ever receive. John 1:12 is Your promise, Lord (read John 1:9-18). Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

On pages 166 to 171 of my recently published book, This Far by Faith, there is a story of intercession on behalf of Elena, a little Russian girl who is now my granddaughter. I don’t have the space to tell the story here, but let me assure you that it is one of the most powerful stories you’ll ever read (below is a photo from the book). If you haven’t already, please consider ordering my book. You can call Crossroads to check on its availability at 1-800-265-3100.

As was the case in Persia, government officials can be turned around. The story of Elena is a particular miracle of God, as in the communist system, everyone was, at one time, a government employee. A statement I’ve picked up somewhere throughout my life is, “We need to attempt things for God so humanly impossible that they will surely fail if God is not in them.” My practice is to pray fervently, then move forward boldly into something that seems impossible. If God desires what I desire, He will go before me, and “with God all things are possible” (Jesus – Matthew 19:26). My book illustrates this truth. Please get your very own copy.

Yours for bold intercession at God’s throne of grace,

David

Elena at age six meeting my daughter Elaine in a Russian orphanage.

Elena at age six in a Russian orphanage meeting my daughter Elaine for the first time. Today, Elena is a wife and mother of her own little girl!

6 thoughts on “Wednesday, August 7, 2019

  1. What a precious photo of Elena, God worked a miracle in this instance. I believe He works miracles even in the midst of all the turmoil in our World today. He never changes so that is proof enough for me.
    I loved reading the story of Esther once again, it is so encouraging no matter what situation we are in right now.
    Bless all our blog friends and I am especially thinking about Ann and the Mainse family. Praying for strength and encouragement for each one. Eleanor M.

    • God bless you Eleanor! Yes Lord God bless the Mainse family; Thank you Lord for this daily Word of God;
      Miracles are happening all the time, all around us, pray the Lord’s Prayer daily;
      Pray for healing for all our friends who are ill; pray for healing for all those who do drugs! Lord, I pray that You will enter their hearts and remove the desire to do drugs of any kind; help all those who want to be drug free; heal their hearts; send the Holy Spirit into their lives;
      Lord thank you for hearing our prayers, Lord we thank You for the rain; in Jesus Name we Pray amen

      • Blessings to you Sah, I am agreeing in prayer with you. Stay strong i in the Lord, as you know He is our saving grace in this wicked world. ????❤️

  2. It is amazing how God works out His plans. We have two similar stories in our family also. Most people would have said, “impossible” and yet the barriers were opened & two little ones came into our families. Thank You Lord.

    • God bless you Doreen; your giving me goose bumps; Thank you Lord for miracles in Doreen’s family; Lord we thank You for every breath we take; this is a gift from You, Thank You Lord in Jesus Name we Pray amen

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