If you keep still, deliverance and rescue for the Jews will originate from some other quarter, while you and your family shall be destroyed.
And who knows but you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14 NLT
I am the Master of moments—My pattern is shown in sovereignty. I sometimes work miracles anonymously. Although My Name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, I am behind the scenes of events, directing the drama.
I am the Savior of sinners—My purpose and plan is to save. I sent Joseph ahead of his nation to rescue their lives, and I worked through Esther to save the Jews. Those long ago and far away stories are being retold today when people share how I changed their direction, replaced their despair with hope, and changed their panic to peace.
I am the Lord of Life—your part in the great drama of redemption is to speak. I make a time for everything, a season for every activity, a time to be silent, and a time to speak up. Pray for wisdom to understand the proper timing to give voice to your convictions. Be sensitive to the urgency of joyfully and boldly praising Me for the miracles you have seen. Be humble enough to realize you are not indispensable. If you should choose to stay quiet, the stones would burst into cheers in My honor!
I placed Esther in a royal position to be My means of blessing. I place believers in royal positions—chosen people, royal priesthood, and holy nation—for the purpose of shining My light into earth’s darkness. In your home, workplace, neighborhood, and nation—you are a king, queen, prince, or princess I can use to work miracles in your world.
Your place in time is not accidental—it is because of the Almighty’s timing. Your responsibilities are not the result of good luck—they are orchestrated by your Good Lord. Your circumstances are not coincidental—they are providential. In My blueprint for you, you are not a lifeless puppet on a string. Like Me, you have a heart, a mind, and a will. You can feel deeply, think things through, and choose wisely. You could decide to observe My miracles and be mute—the better choice is to praise Me with your lips and your life.
I give you this day—make every hour count for eternity. Seize the moment!
O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.
2 CHRONICLES 20:12 NLT
Feel under siege by formidable powers of the shadowy world? Sense that the dark prince and his demons are ganging up on you, hoping to see you fall morally so they can revel in your pain? Is hell’s battle formation leading you to conclude you are in a losing situation?
Do not give up! You are weak, it is true; but you are strong when reinforced by My might. When you are powerless, pray desperately for My help—I will rescue you from Satan’s traps.I direct intergalactic traffic patterns—I can make sense of your life. I hold the earth up with invisible hands—I can hold you together when everything nailed down is coming loose.
At a loss, look for My guidance. Pay attention to signals from heaven—listen for My voice and watch for hints in changing circumstances.
Impossible situations are no problem for My infinite strength. Even in your fiercest battles with evil, My blessing ensures victory. When this reality sinks in and you rely on this truth, you will experience marvelous results.
Realizing it is My battle, not yours, you are unusually brave. Knowing I fight for you, you do not have to lift a finger in self-defense. Fear gives way to optimism. Discouragement vanishes in light of trust. Quicksand panic is replaced by solid-rock faith. Captivated by Christ, you march in the King’s victory parade.
I am for you, so you are no coward—you are a valiant warrior. The cross becomes a plus sign, canceling negativism. You are able to face any challenge with the Captain of heaven’s mighty hosts on your side.
Worry diminishes as you worship. Panic dissolves in praise. The valley becomes place of blessing. Sighing gives way to singing. Mourning is transformed into music. Peaceful inner-stances transcend chaotic circumstances.
You learn heaven’s recipe for a worry-free life—pray about everything, tell Me what you need, thank Me for all I do on your behalf, and then you can relax.
Do not know what to do? Turn your eyes toward the Eternal One. With heaven’s help, you will do more than just survive—you will win!
Do you really think you can stand against the kingdom of the Lord led by the descendants of David? Your army is vast indeed, but with you are those gold calves Jeroboam made as your gods. 2 Chronicles 13:8 NLT
I am the True and Living God—Unmade Maker, Uncreated Creator. I am the Potter; you are the clay. I made you, not the other way around. Do not forget thisreality and begin to think of yourself as self-made; if you were, that would relieve Me of a tremendous responsibility!
How foolish it is to attempt to construct lifeless gods. How different they are from the Giver of life, breath, and every perfect gift. Idols may be convenient—it was“too much trouble” for Israelites to travel to the holy city. I challenge you to always travel the high road.
False gods of the heart are corrupting and degrading—I am holy and life-changing.
Idols are a waste of time—I am worthy of heartfelt worship.
Idols reflect the evil and selfish characteristics of people—I am absolutely holy.
Lesser gods are counterfeit—I am the Only Real God.
Idols are powerless—I am Unrivaled Sovereign of the cosmos.
Idols are relics of superstition—I am Ruler of time and eternity.
Idols can be manipulated—I am Director of life’s drama.
Idols are things made by people I made—I am Designer and Architect of the far-ranging universe.
Idols are ephemeral trinkets—I am Eternal Trinity.
Idols are mere lucky charms—I am the Lord of Glory and Master in charge of everything.
I am unlimited by time and space, unparalleled in your experience, unmatched in majesty, unsurpassed by earthly powers. Live humbly in My Presence—be truly wise!
When Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 12:1 NLT
Rehoboam’s reign mirrors your own life. In him, you see your attitudes and predispositions. How easy it is for you to become intoxicated with your intelligence, take pride in your position, trust in your title, feel secure in your strength, and think humility is a virtue others need.
You are not as skilled at brinkmanship as you think. Feel you do not have limits? Strike out on your own, and you will find out the hard way. Arrogance makes you feel invulnerable, at the same time making you more vulnerable. Conceit makes you strut, weakening your armor and leaving you open for attack.
The greatest possible tragedy is that you would abandon My law. Think you are a law to yourself? Ready to attempt self-government? That would be moral suicide. Surrender to Christ as King of your heart—and you will inherit all the treasures I have in store for Him. Subject yourself to the world’s god, and you will discover it is much harder not to follow Christ.
Slavery to Satan kills joy, steals enthusiasm, and destroys influence. I am the Liberator who binds with chains of love—My yoke is easier than the evil one’s addiction, My burden is lighter than legalism’s obsession, and My freedom is better than the tyranny imposed by the dark prince. Take My Word for it!
Realizing your inherent tendency to transgress and rebel, considering the awful possibility of apostasy—humble yourself in My Sovereign Presence. Keep on the alert for vicious attacks from the Devil. He would like nothing better than to tear you limb from limb, then take pleasure in your pain. In My strength, stand your ground against him. Resist his wicked suggestions, and he will leave. Then you can throw a victory party.
Set your heart on walking with Me. You are maturing in faith, but you are not above sin. You are growing stronger, but you are not as strong as you think. John Bunyan got it right in The Pilgrim’s Progress: “He that is down, need fear no fall; he that is low, no pride; he that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.”
The meek, not VIPs—inherit paradise. The wise, not sophisticates—share My reign. The humble, not entertainment superstars—shine in glory.
Advance My eternal kingdom, not your ephemeral one; rely on My almighty power, not your puny strength; honor Me, do not call attention to yourself—then you will forever have it made!
When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s reputation, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions.
2 Chronicles 9:1 NLT
Conduct a self-test to see if you have been accepted into kindergarten. Then you can dream of applying for graduate school. Personal faith is the basic test. Until you know Jesus Christ as Savior, you are not ready for higher education. As long as you trust in yourself—feeling you are somehow good enough to please Me—you will fail this test. As long as you depend on your imaginary self-righteousness, you will never pass the test of reliance on Christ.
With the most basic question settled, you can take the entry-level exam for the University of the Spirit. It is not necessary to endlessly repeat the basic introduction to Christian living. It is mandatory that you grow in Christlikeness and understand the connection of Truth to every life issue. There are many required courses in heaven’s curriculum for the heart—unselfish love, invulnerable joy, indefinable peace, enduring patience, understanding kindness, sacrificial generosity, unflinching faithfulness, angelic gentleness, and supernatural self-control.
Life is a test with some hard questions you will have to answer—
Are you holy? Are you faithful to Me? How is your thought life? Do your eating and spending habits honor Me?
Are you honest? Are you fair? Do you treat other people justly? Do you always choose to do the right thing?
Are you humble? Are you for real? Do you know who I am? Do you know who you are? What price tag have you placed on yourself? Do you consider yourself too good to hang out with ordinary folks?
Are you happy? Can you lighten up and enjoy life? Uptight?
Are you hard working? Planning your work? Working your plan? Zeal for My cause flagging? Warming up for a burnout?
Are you heavenly-minded? Current events sadden you? Able to see beyond earth’s turmoil to My promised bright tomorrow?
Are you hospitable? Are you friendly? Do you share what I have given you with others who have less?
Study for your final exam—score high and graduate with honors.
