Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 8:1–9:27, James 2:1–13, Ps 119:49–64

Today’s Theme: God the true King

One of the bible’s great themes is God as King and the Universe as His Kingdom. This is an over arching story in the biblical narrative which brings the whole story together. God establishes His Kingdom in creation, sin brings rebellion in the kingdom and Jesus comes to proclaim and re-establish the kingdom and will return to rule and reign as King over all.

1 Samuel 8:1–9:27

The rejected King

And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:7 (ESV)

One of the main narratives of the bible is that God is King. One of the clearest ways in which we see this, is with Israel. God’s chosen nation was always intended to be a witness and example to the world. Israel was to show God’s kingdom on earth and show the nations what it meant to have God rule as king, known as a Theocratic Kingdom.

The rejection of their covenant keeping God and King, was a foreshadow of the rejection of Jesus the Messiah. See Acts 3:13–15; 7:51–53.

Regardless of the people’s rejection, it does not change the fact that God is the sovereign King over all creation. Yesterday we read and saw how God was sovereign over the Philistines and the people of Israel.

We must joyfully submit to God as our covenant keeping, sovereign King.

Like everyone else

that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:20 (ESV)

Do not be in a hurry to be like everyone else. We must learn to be content and happy with God’s provision and guidance in our lives.

We learn throughout the bible that it is unwise to compare ourselves with others and so become covetous. We may be envious of a seemingly wealthy person but do not realise that to get what they have, we need to sacrifice, family, time and health, for example.

Paul said 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.”

Trust God as the King, don’t try to be the little king and ruler of your own life, deciding what and who you should be. Instead, determine to submit yourself to the King and what He has for you.

The King’s providence

But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.” 1 Samuel 9:6 (ESV)

God used Saul’s servant (who would seem insignificant), to change Saul’s mind so that they would encounter Samuel. God uses people around us to direct us according to His plan.

We should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in this way today so that we meet the people and go to the places that God wants us to.

James 2:1–13

Our King’s royal law

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8 (ESV)

God our great King, demonstrated the royal law by showing us His love for us, in giving us Jesus, His only Son, to die for our sins.

We as members of His kingdom here on earth, should fulfil the royal law which is to love others as we love ourselves. As Jesus said, all the law is summed up in this.

James is making the point that we should not act with partiality and prejudice.

Walk in the love of the King towards those around you today. Show mercy and remember mercy was shown to you, this will triumph over being judgemental in your own mind.

Psalm 119:49–64

Entreat the King

I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. Psalm 119:58 (ESV)

Like this psalm, we entreat the King to show us His favour, according to His word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on James 2

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 5:1–7:17, James 1:19–27, Ps 119:33–48

Today’s Theme: God’s Dangerous Presence, Live the Bible

God’s presence is dangerous to every demon, to the flesh and the ways of the world, but is wonderful to those who love God and love His word, seeking to live out the word by being doers of the word and not just hearers.

1 Samuel 5:1–7:17

Demons must bow

But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 1 Samuel 5:4 (ESV)

Demons must bow down in God’s presence. For these false gods, which are really demons, the presence of the true God is a terrible and frightening thing.

Dagon had fallen face down before the ark of the Lord. Paul taught us that every knee will one day bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, even demons will have to bow. Philippians 2:10 says “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth”.

Later we see that both the head and hands of the idol were cut off. This is symbolic of God cutting off the enemy’s ability to strategise (head) and his strength (arms).

God’s hand on the flesh

So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land. Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed? 1 Samuel 6:5–6 (ESV)

God’s presence represented by the ark, did not only affect the idol / demons, it had an effect on the flesh of the people, causing great discomfort and sickness.

The presence of God will bring discomfort to the flesh, leaving man with the option to either flee God’s presence and remain in sin, or humble themselves in repentance and become conformable to God, His presence and His word. Romans 8:29

The most dangerous response to the judgement and conviction that comes in God’s presence, is to harden our hearts like the Egyptians did, which resulted in their destruction. This is possible in church; to hear God’s word and harden our hearts, not leaving His presence, but not responding in humility. This is very dangerous, we must humble ourselves before God.

Our flesh must bow and repent in God’s presence. Jesus said in John 16:8, “when the Holy Spirit comes… He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment”.

God is not safe, but He is good.

And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow. 1 Samuel 6:19 (ESV)

“In C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, one of the children is told about Aslan the lion (who represents Christ in the story). She asks the Beavers, ‘Is he—quite safe?’ Mrs Beaver replies, ‘If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most, or else just silly… Who said anything about safe? ’Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”*

We should not have a flippant attitude when it comes to the things of God, the presence of God is dangerous and should be handled as holy and sacred.

These men looked into the ark which contained the covenant (now represented by the bible), and it was because they looked at it that God struck them down. This ties in well with our NT reading.

We should honour God, His word (the bible) and His presence (The Holy Spirit), humbling ourselves to approach God and respond to God appropriately, or suffer the consequence in our own lives.

*C S Lewis quote taken from Opening Up 1 Chronicles. Leominster: Day One Publications.

God helps His people

As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 1 Samuel 7:10 (ESV)

Samuel was the last great Judge of Israel, he served a dual role (like Jesus), as the high priest and prophet too. He turned the hearts of the people back towards the Lord.

Here we see Samuel invokes the presence of God through this burnt offering and cries out to the Lord to deliver the people. God responds to Samuel and thunders against the enemy, sending them into confusion, leading to victory for Israel.

Samuel had experience with God’s presence and knew that it was only God who would allow them to defeat their enemies. This is why he calls the people to repentance and then calls urgently upon the Lord.

As God’s children we must walk right before God and call upon His presence, through the Holy Spirit in our lives, to see the enemies of our soul defeated.

God gave Samuel peace for all his days as a judge, after this. God’s presence is like a weapon in our spiritual warfare, that will bring us peace.

James 1:19–27

Do the word, don’t just read it

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 (ESV)

James is so plain in speaking, that the letter requires very little comment.

We should be changed by God’s presence and by God’s word. God’s word is a mirror, it shows us ourselves and God’s Holy Spirit shows us where we need to change.

We must think about what we read so that we do not forget it. If we forget it, we cannot apply it.

Don’t just plough through the bible reading plan, take time to pray over what you read and apply it to your life.

We have a “relationship with God”

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27 (ESV)

It has become a common saying with Christians, that faith in Christ is all about a “personal” relationship with God (as opposed to just religion). This opens the door to all sorts of private interpretations and heresy and gives people all types of licence for sin, as they form God in their own image.

We were out evangelising one evening and we met a young man whose dad was a minister. He was clubbing but said that he had a personal relationship with Jesus.

Rather than having a “personal” relationship with God, we actually have a “relationship with God” that includes a relationship with a local fellowship of believers; a Pastor, the bible and the world around us. We cannot isolate our relationship with God from the wider church.

True religion rather than man’s futile attempts to reach God, is to live in purity before God and to live out the word of God, by serving and blessing others.

Psalm 119:33–48

Delight in the Bible

for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. Psalm 119:47 (ESV)

We should, like the psalmist, have a deep love for God’s word and a strong desire to hear it and understand it. Mediate on this wonderful portion of Psalm 119 today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on James 1

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 2:22–4:22, James 1:9–18, Ps 119:17–32

Today’s Theme: Man’s Vanity vs God’s Glory

When the vanity of man puts itself against the glory of God, there can be only one winner. Set your heart to live for God’s glory rather than living in the vanity of man.

1 Samuel 2:22–4:22

Wicked men and weak women

Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 1 Samuel 2:22 (ESV)

Eli’s sons are debauched. They were the worst kind of sinners because their rebellion against God was so open, in the face of God’s blessings and the responsibility placed on their lives.

These “ministers” of the tabernacle were committing adultery with the sanctuary workers. This shows how evil their apostate hearts had become.

Ministry and worship is a dangerous endeavour for those whose hearts do not belong to, or remain focused on the Lord. The one performing the ministry is in a place of influence and responsibility, whilst the one being ministered to often opens themselves up in trust.

This is why the ministry is not just a profession, it is a calling from God. As believers we need to walk in holiness and exercise discernment, measuring ourselves and our ministers by the word of God, which rules over us all.

Paul warned the younger Pastor Timothy about these wicked men in 2 Timothy 3:5–9 “… For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,… But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all…”.

The intercessor

If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death. 1 Samuel 2:25 (ESV)

These men were guilty of high handed sin against God and none could deliver them from the judgement that God had determined to give them.

We should give thanks that we do have an advocate with God the Father, who intercedes for us, namely God the Son, Jesus Christ.

John encourages us in 1 John 2:1, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

However we must not take this intercession for granted. Paul warns us in Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” And we must remember that the Holy Spirit is involved in our intercession as the bible tells us in Romans 8:26.

If we grieve the Holy Spirit, how can the Spirit make intercession for us? We must not take this for granted, we are called to live in honour to the Lord and to repent quickly if we slip.

For those who resist the call of the Holy Spirit there remains no other method of intercession for their sins offence before God as Jesus taught us in Mark 3:29

Little idols

Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ 1 Samuel 2:29 (ESV)

We must not make our children into little idols, challenging God for honour and worship in our lives. Matthew 10:37

The bible calls us, as parents, to shepherd our children, which includes rebuking them where necessary.

We need to face up to the biblical truth that our children are all born into sin, with a sinful nature and bent toward rebellion. Without our love, guidance and discipline, they will walk in gross sin.

If we love our children, we will not make them into idols, exalting them above God and His word.

Hebrews 12:11 remind us “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Although it is not easy for the child, it is hard for the parent also.

Proverbs 23:13-14 teaches us “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.” If required, controlled smacking is biblical and helpful.

Be encouraged by the word of God today, to actively discipline your children to the glory of God.

God’s freedom

Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30 (ESV)

God is not bound by the laws of the universe, as some cults teach. Some teach that even if someone is living in rebellion against God but follows some spiritual laws or godly principles, that God is obligated to bless them… this is heresy.

God is not ever obligated to do anything. God is completely free. Anything God does is what He has chosen to do. God declares His freedom here by stating that He will only honour those who honour Him.

Hear God’s voice

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1 Samuel 3:9 (ESV)

Samuel was sleeping where the Ark of the Covenant was, which speaks of God’s presence and God’s covenants. Today these would be the Holy Spirit (God’s presence) and the Bible (God’s covenants). It is primarily through God’s word that we hear God’s voice today.

We are also led by God the Holy Spirit and God can, by the Spirit’s insight and revelation, use things all around us to speak to us.

We need to live our lives in God’s presence, by mediating on His word and walking in step with His Spirit, this way we will hear God’s voice clearly.

Jesus said in John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Like Samuel, we say today, “Speak Lord, your servant hears”.

Vain religion

And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 1 Samuel 4:3 (ESV)

The people wanted the Ark, not God. Notice they said “that it may come among us”, not that God might be with them.

We are not saved by the things of God but by God himself. We must not put our trust in any external thing, no statue, cross, building, book or place, will bring us salvation.

We cannot separate the things of God from God Himself, we cannot use the things of God aside from a loving relationship with God.

Baptism, communion, corporate worship, prayer and bible study are all of benefit (when undertaken), in the context of a loving, living relationship with God.

The ways of God cannot be separated from the person of God, if they are we end up with vain and dead religion. Romans 1:21

Ichabod!

And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” 1 Samuel 4:22 (ESV)

This is a sad state for any Christian and for any church. The glory of God had left Israel, God’s glory is God’s presence and for us, this is God the Holy Spirit.

As Pastor Dennis teaches, we must not grieve or quench God the Holy Spirit in our lives, He is the very glory of God.

Jesus told us in John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Do not live a vain and dead life today, live in and for God’s glory, live by God’s word and His Holy Spirit.

James 1:9–18

Vain pursuits

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. James 1:11 (ESV)

As we go about our daily tasks, like going to our place of employment, going to school or working in the home, we must not allow these pursuits to overtake us.

In particular, we need to be careful when we are pursuing more money, it is so easy for the pursuit of money and money itself, to become an idol. Our culture encourages us to get more and more. We need to avoid the crazy rush for more things, because as James says, the rich man fades away in the midst of his pursuits.

The crown of life

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (ESV)

God rewards us for enduring trials and remaining steadfast in our commitment to the Lord. “Trials” here, simply means, difficulties in life that may threaten our faithfulness to God.

We are called to persevere, this will produce character in us and it is for our perseverance that God rewards us.

An old but good biblical doctrine is, “The perseverance of the saints”, which states that those who are truly saved will have a desire to persevere and by God’s Holy Spirit and grace, will indeed persevere to be ultimately saved.

Those who persevere through life’s many trials, prove themselves to be God’s elect children and prove through their perseverance, that they actually love the Lord.

The crown of life is a conditional promise only to those who love the Lord. As Jesus said those who love the Lord will persevere in keeping the Lord’s commands.

Thank God for the promise of the crown of life that is yours in Christ today, this very promise should help us all to persevere.

Desires and appetites

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:14 (ESV)

Our temptations come from our own desires, we cannot be tempted with something we do not want.

You could not tempt me with a Marmite sandwich… I hate Marmite, but you could tempt me with a jam one!

The food example is simple and humorous, but it is a good picture when it come to all types of desire. We can only be drawn away by something we actually want. This is why God changes our hearts, through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, so our desires are changed.

Check your desires today, if your appetite needs to change then ask God to change your heart. This is one of the greatest keys to overcoming temptations. Only God can do this for you of course, but you can humbly ask God to change your desires.

At the same time, you need to eat the kinds of things that will train your taste and appetite to be for the things that please God. One way of doing this is reading the bible regularly, watching and listening to biblical things and cutting down on your intake of less helpful things like TV etc.

Vain cycle of sin

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:15 (ESV)

The cycle of sin is always the same and always brings death in one way or another, sin is a cycle of vanity.

We should not live our lives in the frustrating and unsatisfying vanity of sin, but to the glory of God.

As our Pastors always say, “you cannot sin and win”. Sin will always lead to death, so do not be fooled by the false promise of temptation. Flee temptation and sin today.

A selection of creatures

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. James 1:18 (ESV)

There is nothing that makes us more special than the next human being. God desires that all would be saved. However, God according to His sovereign will, chose to “actually” save us by the truth of His word.

The reasoning James gives here is that, God wants a first fruits of His creatures. God wants to save a selection from every nation, tribe and language.

There are still unreached people groups who have never heard the Gospel, we must do our part in seeing the Gospel reach to the ends of the earth, so that the first fruits will have representation from all peoples.

Find out more about unreached people groups here http://joshuaproject.net/

Jesus died for all types of people, without distinction, while actually atoning for those He chose from before the world began. For this we should give God praise.

Psalm 119:17–32

Wondrous things

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18 (ESV)

There is GREAT treasure in God’s word, it so rich and wonderful. If you cannot see that,  ask God to change your heart and submit under the biblical teaching of our leaders, to start to cultivate a heart that sees the wonder of God’s word.

Clinging to the dust

My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! Psalm 119:25 (ESV)

We, by nature, cling to the things of this world and are drawn away by earthly desires. We need God to give us the regenerating life of Himself, through the Holy Spirit and the life sustaining truth of His word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on James 1

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

Today’s Theme: Ask in Faith

Today we begin two new books and in each we learn lessons regarding our faith. We must open our mouth and ask God, with settled faith in our hearts, without doubt, and be prepared for our faith to be tested, to the glory of God.

1 Samuel 1:1–2:21

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 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 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 God’s other attributes, like His Omniscience (knowing everything), Providence and Sovereignty (in control over everything).

We must have good theology from the bible  and we should know God, through our relationship with Him, as Hannah did. 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 to be in relationship with Him, in accordance with His word.  We are to serve God with true religion, not with man’s dead, useless and evil ideas of religion. James 1:26-27

James 1:1–8

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 that we can access all that 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 should all 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 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.

Psalm 119:1–16

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 that God intends, by taking heed to God’s word. We should meditate on and store up God’s word in our hearts.

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

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on James 1

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

Today’s Theme: God’s Reversal Plan

Our God has the power and will to reverse the plan of the enemy, seen most clearly in the cross of Christ, where God triumphed over evil, reversing our destiny. Put your trust in God’s reversal plan today.

Esther 8:1–10:3

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 that 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.

3 John 5–15

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. 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.

Psalm 118:17–29

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 that 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.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition 3 John 1