Tues.’s Devo - Divine Reversals

Read: Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22 The story of Esther is a book of timing and divine reversals. When Esther learned why Mordecai and all the Jews in Susa were mourning and wearing burlap, she felt powerless to do anything. Mordecai let her know that this was her purpose in being the queen - to save her people from annihilation. She had all the Jews fast and on the third day did something very brave; she appeared before the king for the life of her people. *** Jesus laid down his life for his people and on the third day rose to appear before his father. I wonder if he felt the same reverential fear that Esther felt. *** While she was fasting, God was able to give her his plan and his timing. She followed it to a tee. She invited the king and Haman to a banquet and refused to let her secret out until the next day. *** During that time, God set up the perfect sting. The king found out Mordecai had not be honored for saving his life and decided to reward him. Haman just happened to show up at the perfect time to ask to impale Mordecai on the pole his friends had told him to make. Instead, he was tricked into giving Mordecai the honor and and esteem what he wanted for himself. He would also get the punishment he planned for Mordecai. He would be impaled on the pole he had set up for Moredecai. *** Not only was Haman’s plot found out, but his heart was exposed and he was found evil. His friends turned out to be worthless and wishy-washy. God heard the cry of his people and came to their rescue. *** In Corinthians, Paul explains the Body of Christ and how it works. We saw it work perfectly in the story of Esther. Esther had to learn that she was part of the Jewish heritage even though she was not with them in body. What she did greatly affected their future and vice versa. They fasted for her life and she laid down hers for them. They all played a role. Mordecai was like the Holy Spirt who led the different players to do their part. It is God who put Esther where could do the most good but it wasn’t for her own vanity, it was for the salvation of his people. *** We each have our own gifts and personality and are put where we can be used the most. We should never feel less important just because we are not being used like we think we should. God has a treasury of people saved up for when he needs them to act. It is our responsibility to stay sharp and ready when he needs us. Paul said, that some of the parts that seem weakest are the strongest, and some that we think of less honorable are really the ones most special. We all need the gifts of others to finish the work of the Kingdom. *** Lord, may we play our part with love and humility. May we have a Kingdom mindset and lay down our lives daily for your purposes.