A STAR
Today’s Reading: Esther 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Located about 200 metres inside Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate is Christ Church. It is the oldest Protestant Church in the Middle East. It was completed in 1849 and soon after became known as the “Jewish Protestant Church.” My son chose this photograph for today’s reading because of the “Star” in the sky.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Esther 2:7
And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.
Esther’s name means “Star” in the Persian language. Ahasuerus is the Hebrew name for Xerses, King of Persia (modern day Iran). The historian Herodotus refers to the six month long banquet (of today’s reading) as the occasion of Xerxes’ planning for the expansion of his empire into Europe. Persia was defeated in a sea battle just off the coast of Greece (479 BC). Xerxes then headed home where he sought a new Queen. A few days ago we were reading from the book of Ezra. The story of Esther fits between chapters 7 & 8 of Ezra. Xerxes is called Artaxerxes in Ezra.
God chose an orphan girl, raised by her closest relative, Mordecai, to save His ancient people from a holocaust which would have otherwise destroyed the Jewish people. God had long-term plans for the Jews, which continue to this day. God also has plans to bless all of us too, as long as we, like Mordecai and Esther, co-operate with His plans by our own free will. Like Esther, we may not comprehend what God is doing at the present time, but as we are faithful, someday we will look back and we will see that God was at work.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that all the plans You have for me will be accomplished as I am faithful to read Your word and pray every day. You have said that You desire to give me “a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). I believe You are at work in me and in the lives and circumstances around me. I ask these mercies in Jesus’ Name, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve stood on the eastern shore of the Ionian Sea at Salamis, between Athens and Corinth, and imagined the defeat of Xerxes’ mighty naval armada by the smaller and faster Greek ships who set the Persian vessels on fire and forced them to retreat. Xerxes never had a chance to land his army on the shores of Europe. Several years later, the Greek emperor conquered Persia and a new Empire arose under Alexander the Great.
Norma-Jean, my wife of almost 59 years, won’t read this until it’s too late to keep me from telling this story, so here goes… People would often comment about her lovely dresses, and I wouldn’t tell where she purchased her changes of wardrobe. It was at the Hadassah Bazzar (“Hadassah” is Esther’s Hebrew name). This Jewish women’s organization, named with Esther’s Hebrew name, would sell slightly used clothes at an annual event. Norma-Jean never wanted to miss the great deals at the annual sale. Years later, in the year 2000, our youngest grandson, Nathaniel Shaheen, was born in the “Hadassah” Hospital in Jerusalem (pictures below). The hospital is one of the projects supported by the Jewish women’s organization in Canada. Norma-Jean always looked great in those dresses as she would often sing on national TV. A Jerusalem hospital was helped a little bit by Norma-Jean’s purchases!
Yours for being like Mordecai and Esther (Hadassah), at the right place and at the right time, so that God’s will may be done “on earth as it is in Heaven,”
David
My grandson, Nathaniel Shaheen, born November 23, 2000 in the Hadassah (Esther) hospital, Jerusalem.
Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where Nathaniel Shaheen was born.
Esther was blessed to have such a large amount of time to get ready to have a date with her boyfriend…a year. My husband questions when I take 20 mins. I love history and our bible is overflowing with God’s gracious Word to live by and benefit from even though so much of it is filled with tragedy and human mistakes. May God bring millions more to the cross each day. Thank you for this wonderful blog 100 Huntley St. people. God bless you all.
Amen Lynda.
Amen Lynda
Yes Lord bring our unsaved family and friends to You.
Open their eyes, ears and heart to Your Son!!!!
God will carry out His plans no matter what. He dethroned Queen Vashti in order to place Esther at “the right place, at the right time”. No matter how impossible our circumstances may seem, God is able to turn them around.
Praying for all bloggers today.
Beverlee, Eleanor, Rob….we miss you and pray God’s guidance, healing, strength, comfort and whatever else you may be in need of, today. God’s blessings on all!
Thanks for your prayers Luisa, I have been praying for Joseph and also thinking about Rob and Beverlee. I am praying that they are doing ok and saying a prayer for them as well.
My back isn’t quite healed yet but I am able to get around Praise God.
Edward was at the hospital to see his oncologist yesterday. She isn’t giving him any more chemo pills yet. She wants another blood test at the end of the month. She is thinking of giving him 3 pills instead of five. Platelets were up which was good. But his Neutrophils are low, something to do with the white blood cells I think. God’s blessings to all. Eleanor M.
I am very glad to hear that you’re doing better, Eleanor. I will continue to pray for you and Edward. My husband was supposed to have the 5 oral chemo treatments per month but after the first month he was hospitalized because of a seizure and he hasn’t been physically able to withstand any more treatment. The original chemo and radiation treatments did not help much in shrinking the tumour. Right now, there are no plans for further treatment. Only God can heal him. Thank you for your prayers .
Enjoyed today’s reading of Esther 1 and 2 and David’s message and prayer. Thank you all for you prayers; dealing with a lot of pain. Holding you in prayer, Eleanor and Esward, Luisa and Joseph and all saints in need. His blessings be upon you. Amen.
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 ESV
Passion – Welcome The Healer (Lyric Video/Live) ft. Sean Curran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjThJzjtOBo
I am so sorry to hear about your pain, Beverlee. May God’s healing power flow through your body, from head to toe and miraculously heal you, in Jesus’ Name!
Thank you for your continued prayers.
I have missed your comments Beverlee. I pray for the complete healing and freedom of pain in your body..
Good to see Beverlee’s post today & the worship song she posted. Praying for health, strength, and blessings for all. May God comfort each person in the way that only He can. Amen
Beverlee I will continue to pray for you that the pain with ease off. I know that God is able to do over and above what we ask for. I do appreciate your prayers for Edward and me.
Blessings Eleanor 🙏
Praying for all my blog friends.
May God heal you In Jesus Name Amen!!!