Tues.’s Devo - For the Sake of the Kingdom

Read: Esther 4:1-7:10, 1 Co. 12:1-26, Ps. 36:1-12, Pr. 21:21-22 Every generation has an anti-Christ who rises up and tries to annihilate the Jews. Today it is the Hamas. In Esther’s time it was Haman. God always raises up a deliverer like Esther. Mordecai played the part of the Holy Spirit who reveals secrets, guides, and speaks the truth. Mordecai revealed the plot to kill the king and informed Esther what was going on in the outside world. He guided Esther to go before the king and plea for mercy for the Jews. Then he spoke the truth to Esther when she was afraid to ask Ahaserus. He told her she would not be spared and instead of being a deliverer, she would be cursed if she didn’t realize why she had been placed where she was. God places everyone in strategic places for His glory. Sometimes we are afraid to lose that position for the sake of the gospel, when it is for the sake of the gospel you are in that position. If you are being asked to lay your future on the altar, then He will protect you and provide for you. It is always when the devil looks like he is winning that he falls. Haman had just bragged about his position and favor with the king. He plotted how he was going to kill Mordecai. Everything reversed for him when God’s people fasted and prayed. In 1 Corinthians we learn how we are all part of the body even though we have different gifts. I was thinking today about how in the Old Testament they had the twelve tribes. They each had their own personalities and functions like the Levites who were in charge of the temple. Today we have different denominations with different personalities. The Baptist’s are devoted to evangelism, bringing people on earth to heaven. The Charismatics are devoted to intimacy with Christ and to moving in the gifts and bringing heaven to earth. We need both. We get in trouble when we compare with malice or competition and not realize we are all part of the same body. We all need each other. Lord, help us to be willing to give up everything for you and embrace the whole body of Christ.