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Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 1:1–2:21, James 1:1–8, Ps 119:1–16

Today’s Theme: Ask in Faith

Settled faith

And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:18 (ESV)

In her distress Hannah could have done anything, but she chose to pour out her heart before God in prayer.

We can learn from this too that no matter how stressful and hopeless the situation seems, we can and should cry out to God.

Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 5:6–7 to “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Hannah’s faith was a mature settled faith in God and the word of his servant. Notice as this verse indicates, once she received a word from the high priest she was no longer distressed and went back to eat.

Like Hannah we must have a settled faith and hope in God and his word as we pray in faith. As we read in James today, a double minded man will receive nothing.

Knowing God

“There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 (ESV)

In this verse and in fact throughout this prayer Hannah shows that she clearly knows who God is.

We can tell by this prayer that Hannah’s theology is solid and true and she actually knows God as a friend unlike the sons of Eli.

In this statement Hannah declares some key attributes of God, namely his holiness, singleness (uniqueness) and immutability (does not change).

In later verses Hannah exalts Gods other attributes like his Omniscience (knowing everything), Providence and Sovereignty (in control over everything).

We must have good theology from the bible like Hannah and know God through our relationship with him like hannah, this will give us strong faith. Knowing God is the foundation of firm faith in God.

The evil of religious activity

Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD. 1 Samuel 2:12 (ESV)

Eli’s sons did not know the Lord, they were the opposite of Hannah.

The tragic thing about their lives is that they were also involved in religious activity which just magnified the evil they already had in their hearts. They were liars, manipulative, greedy and lustful.

There are many today who are religious too, they do not know God, have no faith in him but are involved in religious practices for what they seem to get out of it by manipulating others. 2 Timothy 3:5

We are called to know the Lord and be in relationship with him in accordance with his word and from that place serve God with true religion not man’s dead, useless and evil ideas of religion. James 1:26-27

The trial of your faith

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2–4 (ESV)

The testing of our faith in God is a necessary part of our lives as Christians. James tells us to not be discouraged by trials but to see God’s purpose in them.

Trials of our faith come to prove the genuineness of our faith make us firm in faith and cause our faith to grow so we can access all God has for us.

In our Old Testament reading today, Hannah’s faith was tried through what she went through and it made her faith strong.

Be encouraged today as your faith comes under trial, knowing that God has a purpose in it, to make your faith strong. the more a muscle is exercised the stronger it will become, this is also true of faith.

Ask God

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5 (ESV)

What an amazing privilege, our God is not distant, we can ask God knowing that he is willing and desires to answer our prayers.

We all should be humble enough to admit today that we lack wisdom and so should ask God to grant us wisdom. I am praying this prayer today.

Enjoy and boldly use your privilege today to ask God, the word pray simply means to ask. It brings God pleasure to respond to prayer said in faith.

Do not doubt

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; James 1:7 (ESV)

We are called to firm assurance and faith in God, in a God that we don’t just know about but a God that we actually know.

Do not doubt God’s desires, ability or the promises of his word. Do not doubt when you pray, if you do you will not receive anything. God is calling us to have faith in him, this is what pleases him.

Do not be double minded, make up your mind today to believe God.

Store up God’s word

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (ESV)

We can only live pure lives, the way God intends by taking heed to God’s word. We should meditate on and so store up God’s word in our hearts.

Mediate on God’s word today, sore it up, this will cause your faith to grow.

Today’s Reading: Esther 8:1–10:3, 3 John 5–15, Ps 118:17–29

Today’s Theme: God’s Reversal Plan

Push for the victory

When the king held out the golden scepter to Esther, Esther 8:4 (ESV)

Esther risks her life again by coming before the king to make a request, grace is extended to her again in the golden sceptre.

Esther did not get caught up in the victory over Haman and the breakthrough and blessing her and Mordecai were now experiencing.

We should not be content only with our own victory or any partial victory, we should push for more, we should come before God to see others delivered as we have been and to push for the destruction of the enemy of sin for example or for a believer to be released from prison.

Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The counter decree

Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them. Esther 9:1 (ESV)

God like the king makes decrees which cannot be undone. For example, God decreed that the wages for sin is death so God made a counter decree that a sacrifice can be made to cover sin which had its ultimate climax in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

God turns things around like this all the time, we were meant to die but God turned it around and gave us life.

We can pray for God to decree reversals in our life, where things are falling apart at school, work or home, God can decree a reversal over your life and you will come out on top.

We will read later about the ultimate reversal where Jesus who was rejected becomes the chief cornerstone.

As God’s people we can trust in God’s ability to deliver us and turn it all around, he did it at the cross, the resurrection, pentecost and now in our lives. Thank God that he turns it all around.

Jesus said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

God’s purpose in reversing things

For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people. Esther 10:3 (ESV)

Mordecai became even more powerful than queen Esther. God reversed everything for the Jewish people and for Mordecai in particular and this was for a reason. Mordecai did not use his new influence and wealth for himself, instead he sought the welfare of his people.

When God turns things around for us we should not gloat in victory we should seek God for his purpose in turning things around and fulfil that purpose. God does nothing without having a purpose and plan.

We should be like Mordecai and use our victory to serve others.

Our purim is the cross of Christ, where God reversed the plans of the enemy, sin was judged and the devil defeated.

Support missions

Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 3 John 8 (ESV)

It is important that we support mission work as Christians. We are not all called to go to the nations with the gospel but we can all take part in the work by praying and providing financial support.

If you are not supporting any mission work consider starting today. You could begin by sponsoring a child with Compassion for example.

Imitate good

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 3 John 11 (ESV)

We need to consciously do good, in this context it is to provide hospitality to the travelling missionaries. So we are to make a conscious effort, literally make a plan to do what is good.

Think of a way that you can honour God by doing good to others, especially God’s people. think about it, prepare for it, plan it and do it.

The rejected stone

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118:22–23 (ESV)

This is a prophecy which was fulfilled by Jesus as the Messiah. Rejected by man but chosen and ordained by God.

God’s great reversal plan is marvellous to behold. This is God’s way, God is a saviour and redeemer by nature and his plans to turn things around are so spectacular that the enemy is left stunned.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

When God decreed to save you it would have seemed impossible to fulfil because the decree of death for sin was already over you. This is why Hebrews 2:3 says “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who hear”

Thank God for Jesus the chief cornerstone.

Today’s Reading: Esther 3:1–7:10, 3 John 1–4, Ps 117:1–118:16

Today’s Theme: God’s Providence

The 4 chapters we read today in Esther tell us the main story for the book of Esther and show how God’s providence is always at work in the background of our lives. Esther is a unique book in that God is not mentioned, but we see him at work through the events and people in the story. Romans 8:28

Do not bow

And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and paid homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage. Esther 3:2 (ESV)

We should not bow to compromise, we should like Mordacai bow only to God and his word. Read 2 Corinthians 6:15–7:1

Anti Semitism

Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. Esther 3:13 (ESV)

The same demonic spirits that drove Haman are alive in the world today, moving entire nation states to call once again for the complete annihilation of the Jews. It happened in Hitlers day and is being called for today by states like Iran and terrorist organisations like Hezbolah.

This hate was so extreme that it sent the city into confusion at that irrational call to destruction.

The devil meant it for evil but God would turn it around.

We should advocate for Israel against this sort of Anti Semitic hate. If you want to know more about advocating for Israel check out the 2013 production by the Ezra Foundation called “CHOSEN” and agencies like BICOM

God’s timing

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 (ESV)

God knows everything and plans ahead of time. You have been called to his kingdom at this time like Esther to fulfil God’s purpose.

Don’t spend your life wishing you were somewhere else or someone else. God has planted you where he chose to for you to fulfil his purpose there.

We are reminded in Acts 17:26 “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place…”

Willing to die

“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16 (ESV)

We should be like Esther in our determination to fulfil Gods’ purpose even if it means we are at risk of harm or even death.

Life with God is not safe, we are called to lay it all on the line for him, but it is not a gamble, instead it is a calculated risk. We know our God is able and even if we are harmed or die God still gets the ultimate victory.

Like Esther we just need to throw ourselves into Gods hands so that he can use us as he wills. James 4:13–15

John Piper has a great short book called Risk Is Right that is well worth a read if you have time, you can read it for free (or buy it) online here http://www.desiringgod.org/books/risk-is-right

The need to be validated

And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. Esther 5:11 (ESV)

Our self centred culture has breed people like Haman who need to be validated by others and external awards etc.

We should not live like this as Christians. We need to ask God to heal us from “approval addiction” and find our sufficiency and security in Christ. 2

Paul remind us not to compare ourselves with each other in 2 Corinthians 10:12 “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” Also see Corinthians 12:9

God at work

On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. Esther 6:1 (ESV)

God took sleep from the king and this is an example of God’s providence in the story.

We can pray that God would take sleep from leaders around the world today to the benefit of God’s people.

God’s master plan

And the king said, “Hang him on that.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated. Esther 7:10 (ESV)

God works all things to our good this is the providence of God at work, the enemy has fallen into his own trap and we will read tomorrow about the way God turns this whole thing on its head. We can true in our all wise, all powerful God. He’s working it out!

Walk in truth

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 4 (ESV)

John prays that Gaius will be in good health physically because he is healthy in spirit already. He is healthy in spirit because he walks in the truth.

We are called to walk in truth and benefit from all the fruit that brings in our lives including health and long life.

Walking in truth means we know and obey the truth from a sincere heart.

Do not fear man

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6 (ESV)

We give thanks to the Lord, because his is so good to us. If God is god and by his providence works all things for our good then we do not need to fear what man can do like we read in Esther.

Today’s Reading: Esther 1:1–2:23, 2 John 7–13, Ps 116:1–19

Today’s Themes:  God’s Order

No restraint

And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.” For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired. Esther 1:8 (ESV)

The king made an edict that there was no compulsion to drink. This may at first sound positive, that the king was saying that no one would be forced to drink anymore than they wanted, but it also means no one would be restrained from drinking how ever much they wanted.

We need laws in our lives to bring restraint. We are called to have self control. Anything in excess is sin. An activity in excess becomes idolatry, eating in excess becomes gluttony and drinking in excess quickly becomes drunkenness.

Instead we should be filled with the Holy Spirit as Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”

The king has opened the door to the libertarian rebellion and egalitarian defiance of the queen with his charge to throw of restraint.

God desires we live self controlled, ordered lives in line with his word and Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 9:25, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Timothy 1:7 and 1 Peter 4:7

Impaired judgement

On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, Esther 1:10 (ESV)

The King was merry with wine, he was basically drunk and the wine caused him to act irrationally and impulsively.

One of the reasons many Christians forgo drinking entirely is that alcohol impairs human judgment and when the line of drunkenness is crossed we would be in sin. This is why I and many believers choose to stay away from drink entirely as the bible calls us to be sober in judgment and spirit.

Peter reminds us “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” in 1 Peter 5:8. Also see 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, 2 Timothy 4:5 and 1 Peter 1:13

God’s design for family

For the queen’s behavior will be made known to all women, causing them to look at their husbands with contempt, since they will say, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, and she did not come.’ Esther 1:17 (ESV)

Wives are called to submit to the their own loving husbands who lead their homes in sacrificial service in the Lord.

God has designed an order for our marriages, families and the wider society. God desires and has designed us to flourish as humans and has set up the order of the family with that in mind.

What we do affects others, it is important that we show self restraint and portray a picture of God’s order to the outside world. Christian men should not be harsh and unloving to their wives wanting to show them of as some trophy for example like the king and women should not defy their husbands in open rebellion.

The new testament has a lot to tell us about God’s order which is itself a witness to the world in passages like Ephesians 5:22-6:4 or Colossians 3:18-20 where the whole family is addressed in terms of God’s design.

Peter speaks well to today’s passage for wives who may have unbelieving husbands in 1 Peter 3:1–3 “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct…”

A fathers care

And every day Mordecai walked in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and what was happening to her. Esther 2:11 (ESV)

Mordecai was like a father to Esther, we read in verse 7 that he brought her up because her mum and dad (his uncle) had died.

You can see his care for her as he passes by everyday to see how she is doing. It is important for us as fathers to take an interest in our children’s lives and see how they are doing.

Paul teaches in Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

If we ignore our children, leave them to themselves, do not look out for their welfare or take an interest in the events of their everyday lives this will provoke them and make them angry.

An obedient child forever

Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. Esther 2:20 (ESV)

Esther won favour with everyone and it was not because of her obvious physical beauty, it was her conduct and manor. At heart Esther was still a submissive and obedient child to her adopted father Mordecai.

Esther is a grown woman now and she still respects and obey’s her dad. We can learn so much from her example. We should honour our parents as long as we live and should have humble, submissive obedient hearts when they speak.

If we (as children and adults) cannot obey our parents who we can see how can we claim to obey or relate to our heavenly father who we cannot see?

We are all called to be Gods obedient children. Peter teaches in 1 Peter 1:14–15 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct”

A full reward

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 2 John 8 (ESV)

We are called to watch ourselves. Think of this like watching the road while driving, if you do not, you can easily veer of course and crash your car. We need to keep an eye on our walk as believers.

If our Christian life is marked by constant crashing and veering of course, we will end up with less reward than we could have had if we stayed faithful.

It is simply not true that a faithful Christian receives the same reward as a constantly failing or lazy Christian. The only thing we all receive in equal measure is eternal life. There are rewards to be given in heaven for faithful and lively service. The reward may be expressed in the responsibilities given in heaven.

We should live our lives so that the work of the Apostles like John in the bible, our Pastors and leaders in discipleship and our own work in serving the Lord will win a full reward.

Run for a full reward, the best reward, run to win.

Stick with the teaching

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9 (ESV)

Our faith is not new, it is over 2000 years old. The Cannon of scripture is closed. We need to stick with the clear and accepted teaching of Gods word.

Those that abandon the teaching of scripture do not have God, only those who stick with the teaching of the Gospel have God.

We need to be on our guard against “new teachings” and stick with that which is faithful to the scriptures.

Precious to the Lord

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 (ESV)

When one of God’s saints dies it does not pass as nothing, it is precious to the Lord, when a saint dies they go home to be with the Lord, the race is won and the fight is over.

Today’s Reading: Neh 12:1–13:31, 2 John 1–6, Ps 115:1–18

Today’s Themes:  Sing to the Lord

Celebrate with gladness

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. Nehemiah 12:27 (ESV)

God is worthy of our praise, we should celebrate and praise him with joy for all he has done. 1 Corinthians 14:15

We should worship the Lord with singing, and the playing of all sorts of instruments, making a joyful sound unto God.

Paul reminds us that praise should be a part of our everyday life in Ephesians 5:19 “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,”

Heaven is filled with loud, joyful worship. Revelation 4:8 and Revelation 19:1

Don’t let anything steal your joy today, sing to the Lord with gladness. Acts 16:25

Corporate praise

Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall to the Dung Gate. Nehemiah 12:31 (ESV)

We see the two great choirs here which remind us of the importance of corporate worship and singing together. God doesn’t want us to just praise him on our own. God wants us to come together as a group to sing to him too.

We are reminded of the importance of regular corporate worship in Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Reading about these choirs reminds me of our own choir “Sincere Praise”. Sincere Praise were recently in ministry in Cyprus and worship the Lord in song each week at our church.

The “We Are Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” album can be listened to on Spotify here http://goo.gl/QCmo7y

The “Hold Fast” album can be listened to on Spotify here http://goo.gl/6lk6lA.

You can buy both albums on iTunes here http://goo.gl/WF6qNv and here http://goo.gl/pLUWli

God, our greatest joy!

And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. Nehemiah 12:43 (ESV)

God is our greatest joy and treasure. God should bring us more joy than anyone else, we should rejoice in him and prize him as the highest source of joy.

The people rejoiced in the Lord so greatly that it was heard far away. Our praise of God should be heard across the nations to the glory of his name.

The following is an excerpt from John Piper’s book “The Pleasures of God”

“The greatest joy is joy in God. This is plain from Psalm 16:11: “You [God] will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Fullness of joy and eternal joy cannot be improved. Nothing is fuller than full, and nothing is longer than eternal. And this joy is owing to the presence of God, not the accomplishments of man. Therefore, if God wants to love us infinitely and delight us fully and eternally, he must preserve for us the one thing that will satisfy us totally and eternally; namely, the presence and worth of his own glory.”

Truth and Love

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. 2 John 1–3 (ESV)

Singing to the Lord in praise and worship is worthless if it is not done in tuth and love.

John connects truth and love as each on their own can lead us into one of two major errors.

Truth without love will lead us into cold hearted religion which is concerned only with the precise quality of the truth and teaching without regard to the application of the truth and translating the truth to everyday people.

Love without truth will lead us into apostasy as we capitulate to the worlds standards and throw away our essential core as a faith in order to “reach out”.

Love and truth must work together, this way we believe correctly through the truth and live correctly by the love of God.

This is love

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 2 John 6 (ESV)

John provides us with another working definition of love, love in this context is not a mussy, sentimental, fuzzy feeling; no. Love is walking in the truth, obeying Gods commands according to his revealed word in the bible.

The world has redefined love to be whatever we want it to be, which is the opposite to John’s definition. Here we see love is not about us doing our own will but about us doing God’s will.

If we walk in love we lay down our own agenda to live for God. Laying down our lives for God and others just like Jesus did on the cross.

All glory belongs to God

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 115:1 (ESV)

We live to bring glory to God. When someone says well done for doing something, receive the thanks and praise, then turn and give it to God.

We give God glory as we sing praises to him.

God’s pleasure!

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Psalm 115:3 (ESV)

Our God is sovereign, he does all that pleases him and it brings God pleasure when we worship him in joy. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him”