Message
Esther: The Great Reversal Begins
Esther 5-7
This week is Guitar Sunday! Do you play guitar and desire to be a part of a guitar worship leading choir? Let Sydney, Vince, or me know so we can get the music to you, and show up Sunday at 8:00am ready to go!
This Sunday we continue into The Book of Esther with a focus on chapters 5-7, The Rest of the Story: The Great Reversal Part 1. After Esther’s request for three days of fasting and prayer, Esther begins to carry out her plan. Haman is also continuing to carry out his plan. And their plans are on a collision course. What will happen?
And what is God’s plan? Where is God in the story? And how does God’s plan weave in with Esther’s plan?
I was captured once again this week by the mystery of God’s working in the midst of everyday life. He is always active and engaged. God is sovereign over and in all things, yet, his sovereignty doesn’t negate or overrule human engagement, our free will, our choice of directions we decide to take. Somehow, God works with us, through us, beside us, even in spite of us – weaving together these two realities for his will to be done. I’m realizing the beauty of God’s invitation to each of us to walk in tandem with his will be done.
When Mordecai says to Esther, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For it you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Every sentence of this paragraph speaks to the mystery of God’s sovereignty woven in with human free will and decision making. It’s also an invitation to do what is right and walk in God’s will – to choose it!
Looking forward to Sunday, Esther 5-7 for Sunday’s prep,
Pastor Mark
PS – Next week the Cloyds are with us (our missionaries in France) and we will celebrate communion and enjoy a fellowship feast after our morning worship.