Fri.’s Devo - In A Day!

Read: Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24 This is how a nation was saved in a day. King Xerxes gave the property of Haman to Queen Esther. She introduced the king to her uncle, Mordecai. The king took off his signet ring that he had given to Haman and gave it to Mordecai. Esther put Mordecai in charge of Haman’s property. Esther went again to the king and he held out his scepter to her. She begged for the lives of her people. She asked for a decree to reverse his first decree about the Jews. He told her he couldn’t take it away but she was free to write another decree and seal it with his seal. So three months after the first decree, Mordecai sent another saying that on the day the Jews were to be killed, they would be able to defend themselves and keep the property of their enemies. In the next six months, Mordecai became so powerful in the kingdom that people were afraid to hurt the Jews because of him. Many people converted to Judaism for fear of being killed themselves. When the day came to fight, it was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. In the whole Persian empire 75,500 enemies of the Jews were killed, yet no one took plunder. That is amazing that the Jews were captive in a foreign kingdom and they defeated them within their own boundaries. The Jews celebrated on the next day and made those two days an annual feast and called it Purim which means “lot”. The lot had been against them but God reversed the lot in their favor. Haman and all his sons were empaled on the pole that he had set up for Mordecai. The lot did not fall well for him. Mordecai continued to serve the king as his prime minister for years. He was fair and just and worked for the good of his people and their welfare. In Corinthians, Paul gives us the parts of Christ’s body for the church. First is apostles which in the Greek means an ambassador of the Gospel, officially commissioned who has miraculous powers. The second in rank is the prophet who is an inspired speaker and foreteller. Third is the teacher who is an instructor, doctor or master. Fourth is the one who moves in miraculous power. Next is the healer. Then the government in the church or the director or administrator. Lastly is the one who speaks in a tongue that was not acquired naturally. Not everyone can be all of these things although we can operate in all of them throughout our personal lives. Paul is specifically talking here of the workings of the church. The next chapter tells how we move in each one of these gifts. If we don’t move through love our gift will be distorted and not bring the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God. God is love so he moves in love and we must also. God’s gifts work perfectly through love. Charity in the Greek means affection or benevolence, a love-feast. Lord, may we use the gifts you have given us through your love. Thank you that you can save a nation in a day and you can save this nation!