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