Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read
slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God,
thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for
you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Proverbs 30:10
Proverbs 30:10
Understanding to grow in
The threat of holocaust did not begin with Hitler. Here, we see how godly living can so easily provoke persecution. Mordecai is presented as an example who is not against authority, as he foils the plot of those seeking to assassinate the king. So his refusal to bow to Haman was probably a reflection of his desire to honour God alone. Whatever the case, Haman is a wicked Satan-like individual who persuades the morally complacent king to let him command the extermination of the Jews throughout Persia. The day was decided by casting the "pur" (lot), which is why Jews remember these events at the feast of purim. Something of Haman's irrational hatred is still seen even in the UK, as people react
to Christians in an unjustifably hostile way because they refuse to bow to the secular ideology. But God is always in charge. And so we see that Esther was in her position "for such a time as this" (4v14). In a foreshadowing of Christ, she is persuaded to risk her life in petitioning the king (her husband) for the salvation of the Jews. Yet a woman of faith, she seeks prayer first, asking the people to pray and fast for three days. And so God moves the king to show her favour, agreeing to her two banquets. We'll see where that leads tomorrow! For now we should feel the challenge of Modecai to grieve over the persecution of Christians today, and the challenge of Esther to use our influence in speaking up for them. As you read note how godliness is displayed by Mordecai and Esther. Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.