Thursday April 2, 2009 FAITH AND LOOKING BACK
That night the king could not sleep. So he told a servant to bring the official daily records, and they were read to the king. The records showed how Mordecai had informed him that Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted a rebellion against King Xerxes. The king asked, "How did I reward and promote Mordecai for this?" The king's personal staff replied, "Nothing was done for him." Esther 6:1-3 Yes, I know, we've skipped over a lot of scripture. Many different kings took over the throne after King David passed from this world. I just didn't feel the need to get into all of that. However, what happened in the book of Esther is quite noteworthy - in my humble opinion. The first "coincidence" in the book is that of Queen Vashti's rebellion against her royal husband. The author traces the reasoning of those who advised Xerxes to divorce his wife and choose a new queen. Vashti's willfulness, and the reasoning of Xerxes' advisers, cleared the way for Esther to become Queen of Persia; even though she was a Jew. God is able to use the free acts and the blind reasoning of unbelievers to shape events. Esther was placed in the right place at the right time, and found favor with the King. Haman was doing all that he could to exterminate the Jews (sound familiar?). He wanted to prove Queen Esther was Jewish and get rid of her and all her people. However, God had a different plan: Harbona, one of the eunuchs present with the king, said, "What a coincidence! The 75-foot pole Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke up for the well-being of the king, is still standing at Haman's house." The king responded, "Hang him on it!" So servants hung Haman's dead body on the very pole he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king got over his raging anger. Esther 9:9-10 It was only looking back that Esther and Mordecai could clearly see the hand of God in what had happened to them. It's like that for us too. We seldom sense God's hidden guidance or protection as events unfold. But when we look back, we see His hand more clearly. Yet, looking back, I clearly see the hand of God, working providentially to draw me closer to Him, and guide me into my life's work. And there are so many more ways that, looking back, I can see the good hand of God, even in things that when I experienced them seemed like tragedies. Perhaps this is the secret of discovering God's work in your own life. Look back. Examine the coincidences that set you on each new course. And realize that God was at work in each, even those which at the time brought pain. You see, the doctrine of Providence tells us that God is at work in the life of each of His covenant people. God's activity may be hidden. But it is very real. Look back, and you'll see it in your life. Look back, and you'll find evidence of the constant love of your Lord. Father, we thank You and praise You for Your loving mercy and guiding hand that takes care of us even when we don't realize it. Keep up the good work! ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [email protected] or [email protected] window live messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
