There were times in the Bible when the voice of God was audible, the miracles of God were visible, and the power of God was unmistakable. In our world, things don’t work this way anymore. Perhaps that’s why the story of God’s people in the book of Esther connects with us. We don’t see God anymore. We don’t see miracles anywhere. A wicked culture seems to be winning the war. Our government seems to exercise more control over our lives than God does. What is God up to?
God’s people are living as foreigners in a pagan culture that doesn’t share their beliefs about God. We, like the characters in Esther, are surrounded by a society that judges everything by appearances and is constantly trying to seduce us into seeking satisfaction from the sleek and shiny pleasures of this world.
I. God’s people are not affected by worldly . (1-4)
II. God’s people are not aspiring to worldly . (5-7)
III. God’s people are not afraid of worldly . (8-9)
- Commentary: “When we exiles find ourselves under the rule of a tyrant who does not share our convictions and who seeks to control every aspect of our lives, we may be tempted both to despair and to acquiesce.”
- Whoever is in charge, our boss, our parents, our mayor, our governor, our president….we should for them frequently.
- Whoever is in charge where we live, may the Spirit always comfort us and remind us that the Lord ! I care who wins elections, but ultimately I sleep each night because the Lord reigns. You should too.
- This is my Father’s world; O let me never forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!