This Very Day ... God is in Control
The very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to get mastery over them had been changed to a day when the Jews should get mastery over their foes. (Esther 9:1b)
Esther 9:1-2, 4:10-14; Job 5:12; Isa. 40:22-23, 40:11; Jer. 20:11; Rom. 8:28
What Is God Saying?
Our key verse affirms the sovereignty of God. The Jews in Shushan, staying behind after the exile, were hated and despised. They were struggling for survival. They were on the verge of annihilation. The dramatic interplay of power and intrigue, of moral courage vis-a-vis hidden strategy, gives a modern ring to this ancient book. Since it stresses that God and good will ultimately triumph, it has been a continuing source of encouragement to God's people across the centuries. Every year on the 28th of February the Jews gather for the Feast of Purim, during which the Book of Esther is read. It is a time of rejoicing for all Jews.
Purim means dice, the method Haman used to set the date for the Jews' extermination. ‘On the very day’ that was set by the throwing of dice, instead of being mastered by their enemies, they became the masters. God's sovereign power prevailed. The victims became the victors. The despised were honored. The tables were reversed. It is another case where what was intended for evil resulted in good by the Providence of God and the courageous obedience of His people.
How Does This Apply To Us?
Esther is the only book of the Bible where the name of God does not appear. Nevertheless, the events of the book cannot be explained without the presence, the purpose, and the power of a sovereign God. The story of Esther is an ancient corroboration of James Russell Lowell's convicti0n in The Present Crisis,
‘Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne,
Yet that scaffold sways the future and behind the dim unknown
Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.’
We can trust that God is in control through every trial, against all opposition, and despite every obstacle. He is in control now. On the very day when things look dark and threatening, God is with us. He will, He can, and He does change apparent defeat to certain victory. Our part is to trust completely and obey absolutely.
Pray With Me
Lord, when You say, ‘Be of good cheer! I have overcome the world,’ it is neither wishful thinking nor an illusion of grandeur. It is a sober fact and a solid reality. The victory is won. The enemy is subdued. The Lord is triumphant. ‘On the very day .... ‘ Victory is not something that needs to come only after a long and anxious wait. The triumph of Christ is now. Your help is near. It is always on time. When everything seems to go wrong and the powers of evil seem to have the upper hand, I will trust that ‘on that very day,’ You will deliver.
The miracle is in Your changing the day of apparent defeat into a day of certain victory. Give me confidence in Your power to make this change. Help me know that You are present even when I seem most alone. Help me know the strength of Your indwelling spirit even when I feel weak and inadequate. Help me face the enemy with eyes that are focused on the living, risen, all-conquering Savior whose help never comes too late.
Lord Jesus, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. While You never change, it is in Your power to cause changes. On the very day when my enemies hope to get mastery over me, You will change it to a day when light will banish darkness, hope will conquer fear, and good will vanquish evil.
To the praise of Your name, O changeless and always conquering Christ. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
As Esther dared to walk into the King's presence on behalf of her people to save them from extermination, so we can have the desire and the faith to come before the King of all kings and ask of Him great things for ourselves and for those whom we love. We can have the courage of Esther to ask great things of our great God- and even some little things. For nothing is too great or too little for Him.
