Thurs.’s Devo - The Reversal -

Read: Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 21:23-24

Ahasuerus gave Esther the house of Haman and she set Mordecai over it. He gave Mordecai his signet ring when Esther told him who he was to her. 

Esther then plead with the king to save the lives of her people who were destined to be killed. He could’t reverse what had been written so he told Esther and Mordecai to write a new decree that didn’t negate the first one. So Mordecai wrote a decree saying that on the day that the Jews were to be destroyed they were allowed to rise up and defend themselves against their enemies. The edict was sent to all the provinces and read aloud in Susa. All the Jews rejoiced. 

In the months before it was decreed to take place, Mordecai became more and more powerful and the Jews became more and more feared by their neighbors. On the thirteenth day of Adar, instead of the Jews being annihilated, they rose up and defeated their enemies. Esther asked for one more day for the Jews to fight their enemies and it was granted. In those days they killed 77,000 of their enemies in the land. On the fifteenth day, they celebrated. They made the fourteen day an annual event called Purim to celebrate the day the plot against the Jews was reversed and God saved them.

Mordecai became second in command and was loved by the people because he sought the welfare and peace of the people.

In Corinthians, Paul gives the list of gifts God has given to those in the church. First is the apostle, then the prophet. Third was the teacher, then miracles, gifts of healing, administrating and tongues. Everyone should desire the gifts of God. 

Then he gave them the way they should use these gifts. The way these gifts will be the most effective is if they are done through a heart of love. Then he describes what love looks like. It is patient, kind, selfless, not judging and does’t hold grudges. It sees the best in everyone and hopes for the best. It never gives up.

All the gifts will eventually not be needed and pass away, but love will never die. Faith, hope, and love are eternal. 

Lord, may we seek to have faith, hope, and love. These are the very essence of who you are. May we become these things and use the gifts you have given us with love, hope and faith.