Thursday, August 8, 2019

  SPEAKING PEACE

Today’s Reading: Esther 9-10

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

 

The Yad Lashiryon Memorial at Latrun is the Armored Corps’ Memorial Site. The memorial is surrounded by tanks used and captured in Israeli wars. The centrepiece of the Armored Corps is the Wall of Names on which are inscribed the names of all 4,965 fallen soldiers of the Armored Corps from all of Israel’s wars. This location is also the site of the Biblical battles of Joshua Bin-Nun against the Amorite kings; in the book of Joshua it says: “Sun, stand still upon Giv’on; and moon, in the valley of Ayalon” (Joshua 10:12).

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

 

Key Verses: Esther 10:3

For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

 

Mordecai was a man who had peace within himself. His confidence in God enabled him to stand up straight when others bowed. That security, based in the knowledge of who he was, enabled him to develop a bold plan to save his Jewish people from an impending holocaust. Twice in today’s reading Mordecai is recorded as speaking “peace.” Some Jews took revenge on their would-be killers. Even Esther wanted revenge, but there is no record of Mordecai seeking revenge. Rather, he promoted days of feasting, joy and gladness. Esther 9:30 tells us that Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews in all 127 provinces of the Persian Empire in which he wrote words of “peace and truth.” We don’t have a copy of any of his letters, but if we did, we would probably find that the “truth” he shared was about the God of his fathers. Our key verse reads, “…seeking the good of his people…” Let us speak, write, and model “peace and truth.” This is how we seek the good of all. Amen!!!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, even in exile in a foreign land, You found a man of sterling character named Mordecai. I pray that by Your grace I will become such a person. A person whom You can trust to serve You faithfully…a person who will speak “peace and truth”…a person who will seek the good of all. In the name of the One who did that very thing consistently, Jesus of Nazareth. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

People who speak “truth and peace” are amongst us today. Some have a louder voice than others because of the advantage of their prominence. I’m thinking of three such people. Two of them are political leaders and one a spiritual leader.

(1) President Jimmy Carter – He brokered peace between Egypt and Israel known as “The Camp David Accords.” SUCCESS! I had the opportunity of experiencing this up close as an accredited journalist in Israel during the final breakthrough (pages 47-49 in my recent book, This Far by Faith).

(2) Former Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak – When he initiated “The Oslo Accords” with Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, I had high hopes for a lasting peace. Barak had brought blankets to poorly clothed Syrian soldiers during a blinding snow storm on the sides of Mt. Hermon. If anyone could succeed, I thought it would be him. But the effort failed (see pages 68-69 in my book).

(3) Dr. David (Mohsen) Damien, a founder of “Watchmen for the Nations” – He spoke “peace” to the survivors of the St. Louis ship by initiating a gathering in Ottawa where we (representatives of Canada) repented before God for the action of our political leaders back in the 1930s in turning away the ship on which they were travelling as children, seeking refuge in Canada. After being turned away from our shores, most of their parents perished in the death camps of Europe. David, by his words of “peace and truth,” brought a beautiful reconciliation between these hurting Jews and Canadians. This is one of the many stories through which I’ve learned much, which is not in my recent book. As God gives me strength, I may write another book.

I am more determined than ever to speak “peace and truth!” Jesus is my Mentor. He said, “My PEACE I give you” (John14:26) and “I am…TRUTH…” (John 14:6). In Hebrew the word for “TRUTH” is “HEMETH.” This word means the experience of “TRUTH,” not just a list of doctrines which we say we believe. I suggest we all read John 14:5-31 and experience Jesus by the working of the Holy Spirit in us through meditating on Jesus’ Words.

Yours for “PEACE” and “TRUTH,”

David

P.S. Over the years, 100 Huntley Street has produced several series on “Science and Faith,” featuring several very prominent scientists who are also followers of Jesus. One such person is Dr. James Tour, a Jewish man who found Christ as his Messiah. Click here for a video clip of his story from a documentary produced by Crossroads.

The Yad Lashiryon Memorial at Latrun (description under photo above).

7 thoughts on “Thursday, August 8, 2019

  1. God is at work. Here we are in Ottawa at the gathering.One Canada. Last night reconciliation. Are God is amazing. Speak truth and peace in Jesus name amen.

  2. Lord God, have your way in Canada and throughout this world. Break down the barriers between people, and help us to see our great need of You. Hear the deepest cries of your people, and help us to stand for You wherever we are, as Mordecai did. We ask in Jesus’s greatest of all names, amen

    • Amen Rob!
      Thank you for continuing to post 100Words.
      I will be praying for the Maines family and for Crossroads.

  3. Curiosity often pays dividends.Here’s a copy of my post on Facebook about the word “Purim”:
    ”’ “Purim” = lots (thought to be akin to throwing dice.): I googled to find the meaning.Now it’s easier to understand the name (good choice too).Here it is
    ” Purim [N]
    (lots ), the annual festival instituted to commemorate the preservation of the Jews in Persia from the massacre with which they were threatened through the machinations of Haman. ( Esther 9:1 ) … It was probably called Purim by the Jews in irony. Their great enemy Haman appears to have been very superstitious, and much given to casting lots. ( Esther 3:7 ) They gave the name. Purim, or “Lots,” to the commemorative festival because he had thrown lots to ascertain what day would be suspicious for him to carry into effect the bloody decree which the king had issued at his instance. ( Esther 9:24 ) ….” ”’
    Even when persecuted they kept their sense of humour.This is where I first heard of Dr.James Tour,a very humble Jewish Christian and very likely a genius.God bless

  4. God bless Dale, William and Rob for their postings! always filled with wisdom;
    I grew up in Alberta under Premier Ernest Manning; who was also a Pastor; the Province flourished; the goals of the Premier were children, the elderly;those who need help looking after themselves and families;
    if you google his name you can read his story; Mr. Manning was the best thing that happened to Canada at that time; he was a top notch politician; his days started and ended with prayer. I long for that kind of a ruler in Canada, I pray for our leaders daily but I’ve heard too many of them say they just want to be in office long enough to get that BIG PENSION IN THE END…..Lord bless our Country of Canada; bring common sense back;bring back honestly,integrity back,may the Holy Spirit fill peoples hearts with the Love of our Lord Jesus CHRIST amen

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