Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

No one likes to be suppressed! Being looked down upon or dismissed truly harms self-esteem and damages the soul. Recently in our world a new form of ostracism has arisen. If someone shares ideas or opinions unpopular with others around them, he or she may be cut off from future opportunities to speak out. This offense can happen online, in social media, or even in person. While this type of exclusion may be frustrating and even wrong, it is nothing compared to the “cancel culture” practiced amongst the ancient royalty of Persia at the time of the book of Esther.

It’s impossible to get through life charming everyone you meet. No matter how hard you try there will always be someone who finds a reason to reject or put you down. This person may be jealous or even hold a grudge that has nothing to do with you personally, but is about something that happened in the past. Interactions with this sort of person can be uncomfortable at best. But sometimes there may be a person you would consider a real foe. They are not just rude but desire to do you harm. What is a Godly response to enemies?

Do you believe in coincidences - something that happens by chance with no planning or foresight? Many consider these types of occurrences a twist of fate. But for God’s people there is no such thing. We recognize that God plans and controls our circumstances, even situations that play into the future, for the working of His perfect plan for our lives. There are a number of these so-called “coincidences” pointing to God’s presence in the book of Esther, although He is not expressly mentioned.

The Bible records history among other things. The pages chronicle the way events happened whether or not the Lord approves of the circumstances. But we gain great encouragement when we realize that the Sovereign God retains control of every situation even when He appears to be absent. He oversees history and works out all things – even the most tragic ones – for the good of His people.

Don’t you just love a good story? There’s something about the words, “Once upon a time” that cause you to sit up and listen with eagerness. We engage even more when we know it is true. The circumstances and characters are fascinating, but also we can gain insight from those who have lived before. The history of a king, two queens, a cousin, and a wicked villain is just one of those accounts. From the very first chapter of the book of Esther there is intrigue and lessons to learn. Although God is never mentioned in this book, He was behind the scenes using the main character’s crucial decisions to protect His people.

Death is a difficult experience. It causes terrible grief for all involved. Death means separation from loved ones and a new way of living for those who are left behind. But what if there is a different way of looking at this naturally sad event to which we are all destined? What if death is not the end? Different stages of life preclude certain types of events. Young children spend much time enjoying birthday parties for siblings and friends. High school students attend numerous graduation parties. Young adults repeatedly dance at weddings. And newly married couples frequently shower expectant mothers with necessities and gifts for her newborn baby. But when you get older the type of event you regularly must attend changes. Sadly, funerals of people you love and respect jump in frequency. This is natural because as we age our bodies break down so that in time we all face the end of our days on earth.