4 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“These events took place during the days of Ahasuerus, who ruled 127 provinces from India to Cush.”
Esther 1:1 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
The verse I have chosen for today may seem a bit unusual. That’s because it is.
But, if you look closely, there is a person who isn’t mentioned in this verse or any other verse in this entire Old Testament book.
Who isn’t mentioned? God!
The Lord God is referenced in every single book of the Old Testament – except the book of Esther. Yet, He is on every single page!
Essentially, the story of Esther is a compelling drama. It is filled with twists and unexpected conflict resolutions. For the God-follower, even though God is never specifically mentioned, we see God’s fingerprints all over the story. We see the Divine Master-storyteller weaving this drama together so that His desired objective is accomplished.
This has wonderful implications for our own lives. We all know what it’s like for life to fall apart. We know what it’s like to be lonely. We know what it’s like to be stressed, and depressed. And we know what it’s like to feel as if God is a million miles away, oblivious to our circumstances.
Yet, the book of Esther reminds us that even though God can’t be experienced with our five senses, and even though there will be times when He feels so far away, He is just as close and involved as He ever was. He is actively working behind the scenes, in the shadows, to accomplish His purposes.
So, when you feel as if God is nowhere near you, if you feel that He has left you, don’t fear. Be encouraged! He is just as involved in your life as if He had shown up and proclaimed His presence.
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Lord Jesus, thank You so much for the book of Esther. It is such a wonderful reminder that I don’t rely upon my feelings or senses to determine whether or not You are near me. Instead, I look to Your Word and realize that You have promised never to leave me or abandon me. So, if I walk through another time in which it feels like You’re a million miles away, I want to rest my faith in the fact that You are with me. Amen.
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“Letters from Hell”
In spite of the fact that Jesus talked often about Hell, it rarely comes up in current Christian sermons and conversations. In fact, it seems that unbelievers are the only ones who talk about Hell … when they use it as a curse word.
In this fictional story, the author seeks to unpack a biblical view of what Hell is like. With 34 letters sent back and forth from a man on earth and another man in Hell, the author uses the letters from the man in Hell to describe, in very specific ways, what it’s like there.
A secondary objective of this book is to expose and attack sinful, nominal Christianity. Someone who claims to be a Christian, and yet is not taking his pursuit of holiness seriously, will either be offended or will experience godly conviction and make the necessary adjustments in his life.
To purchase this book on Amazon, click here. (You can download it for free on Monday, January 27.)
Matt’s Musings 