Esther must have asked herself the age old question, “WHY ME” when Mordechi explained the circum-stances facing her people. All of a sudden, everything seemed to rest on her shoulders. One of the most understandable and predictable reactions in times like this is to ask that question WHY? Imbedded in this question is the sense that what we are facing is far too great for us to handle.  In times like that, it’s important that we draw upon the strength of God’s word. Again and again, we are reminded that God did not make a mistake in making each one us just the way we have been made. David said, it like this, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonder-fully made, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
    Do you remember that in the story of Gideon, he had these same kinds of thoughts in regard to doing what was going to be necessary to fulfill God’s plan for him at a critical time. In short, he was sure it was too much, too hard, too much to expect from a person like himself. The angel’s reply was short and swift – “Go in the strength that you have!” Not in the strength you will someday have, not in the strength God is going to give to you – but, go in the strength that you ALREADY HAVE.
    I want to provide you with one of the most important promises in all of the Bible for times like this. It is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 where it says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And, God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But, when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand under it.”
    There are three promises you can hang on to and derive hope from in whatever your current crisis or the next crisis to come:
(1) You are never going to face anything that other people haven’t had to face before – it is going to be something common to man.
(2) You will never face any crisis that is bigger than you are – God is faithful to never allow that to happen. Even though it may SEEM to be bigger than you are, it never is and never will be.
(3) You will be provided a way out to be able to stand under it. God is going to supernaturally show up and do something in you, through you, around you, with you or for you – that will enable you to survive what appears crushing…even to the point of death.
     Understand that the TIMING of this crisis is no accident. Is there ever a good time for a crisis?   Listen very carefully – not only are you not an accident – the TIMING of the crisis is also never coincidental. Somehow, in the vast reaches of the mind of God, he has always known the timing of every event in your life. Listen again to the word of God on this matter: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world, for good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
    Let those two thoughts soak in for a moment. Do you recognize the implications of what they say? God is so infinite in His comprehension of all things – He has seen everything in your past – and everything that is in your future – and everything that is going on in your life right now. And, we just read a few moments ago that He is faithful to control the severity of the storms we sail through. I don’t know if recognizing that fact makes you feel better or feel worse about your life!...Here is what I do know – the advice of Mordechi to Esther was profound – not only for her life but for our lives as well. Look again at what he tells Esther; “Who knows that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this”. (Esther 4:14)
    May I suggest you take a deep breath in your crisis, whenever it may be, – and realize you just have discovered a second reason to have greater hope? Not only are you more than capable of going through this difficult time – the timing is right for you to be facing it – somehow, God has already seen to that. It was not right for this to happen a year ago – and it wouldn’t be right for it to happen a year from now – it’s the perfect time right now for this to be happening. God knew it would happen, God knows it is happening, and God will help you through it…He will “provide a way out”…Joel Olsteen’s favorite verse - “When it seems like there’s no way, God will provide a way.”
    What does that mean? For one thing, it is no accident where you are right now in your crisis. Secondly, it is not accident the surrounding cast that is riding with you through this crisis. By that I mean your family, your friends, your work associates and especially your church. All of those people are going to either impact you – OR, you are going to impact them, by how you handle what you are facing right now.
I have to cut this short for now…more tomorrow.

Hope
Esther 4:12-4:14

    Hope – it is an interesting word –It carries the connotation of confidence and even certainty in the face of circumstances that with all our senses, present no visible or tangible reasons for such an emotion.
    The story of Esther is a portrait of a brave, devoted and shrewd man named Mordechi and his courageous, beautiful, young niece, Esther, who would become the Queen of the Persian king, Xerxes.
    Before I talk about hope, allow me to present the story to you in a nutshell.
    The story takes place in Persia – also called Babylon, in scripture. One of the great kings of ancient history ruled there – a true empire builder by the name of Xerxes. His queen was a beautiful woman by the name of Vashti. One day, the King ordered his wife to appear before him at a party so he could show her off to every-one. When she refused, the king was furious. To make matters worse, the officials of the King suggested that if word of her refusal to obey her husband got around, it would set a bad example for all the other women. The King kicked her out, and issued an order that every man should be ruler over his household. It wasn’t long before King Xerexes wasn’t happy without a queen, so he ordered a search through the kingdom for a beautiful girl to be his bride. It wasn’t too long before the King’s scouts happened upon Esther. Esther was beautiful, gracious and kind -- just what the king was looking for. In no time at all, Esther was married to the king. Now Esther was a Jew. The Jews had been driven out of Israel, their home, about 70 years before and exiled in Persia. Although they did there best to make a living in this strange land, they prayed that someday they would be able to return to their homeland. Esther’s uncle Mordechai, was the leader of the Jews and a very shrewd individual. Mordechai encouraged Esther to hide her faith from the King and his advisors, which she did.
    Haman had, by this time, become a powerful man in the kingdom - Prime Minister of Persia in fact. He decided that given his rise in power, it would be appropriate for everyone to bow down to him. But Mordechi refused to bow down to him. Haman was very angry and asked the King to authorize a royal decree to annihilate the Jews. Haman cast lots to determine the day this was to happen. And so it was decreed that in Adar of the coming year, on the 13th day of the month, all the Jews were to be killed, in every province and every nation of the land. There would be no place to run, and no place to hide. This is where our brave Queen Esther comes into the picture -- Mordechai, having found out about Haman’s evil intentions, sent Esther a message. He told her what Haman was plotting and asked her to go to the King on the Jews behalf.
    Esther was afraid, but she fasted and prayed for three days, mustered up her courage and went to see the king. Although he was initially angry at her, King Xerxes spared her and offered "half my kingdom for your wishes," All she asked was that the King and Haman join her for dinner that night. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked, "Now what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question." Of course, both the King and Haman agreed to attend a second banquet with the lovely young Queen.
    Haman was very pleased that he’d been asked to dine with the King and Queen two nights in a row and was filled with pride. Yet, when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and still Mordecai refused to bow to him, Haman was filled with rage. He decided that night to build a gallows to hang Mordechai from and planned to speak to the king about it the very next morning. That way, he’d have the whole matter dealt with during the day and be able to enjoy the next evening’s banquet in peace.
    That same night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. The book was turned to the day Mordecai exposed a plot to assassinate the King. The King was reminded of this tale and asked what reward Mordecai had received. The king’s attendants told him that nothing had been done for Mordecai.
    The next morning, just as Haman was arriving to ask that Mordecai be hanged the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Haman, still filled with pride, mistakenly thought the king was referring to him. So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, `This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”
    Imagine Haman’s shock when the King commanded, “Go at once. Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate.” Haman obeyed the king, of course, but not happily! He was very upset that Mordecai, his enemy, was being honored by the king. Immediately after leading Mordecai around the city proclaiming, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”, Haman had to go to the banquet with the King and Queen.
    Finally Esther shared the secret of her faith and proclaimed herself a Jew. She begged the king to spare her people. Harbona, one of the king’s attendants told the king of the gallows that Haman had built to have Mordecai hanged. The king was furious with Haman and ordered that he be hanged on those gallows. Haman’s pride and cruelty had led to his own destruction and the brave, young Esther had saved her people.
    The key event – and key verse of this dramatic story – is found in Esther 4:12-14: 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Think about those words, and I will continue on Monday…

Balance, by God

God was missing for six days.
Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him, resting on the seventh day.
He inquired of God, "Where have  you been?"
God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction, and proudly pointed downwards
through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."
Archangel Michael looked puzzled, and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it.  I'm going   to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, "I'm still confused."
God explained, pointing to different parts of earth.  "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor. Over there I've placed a continent of white people, and over there is a continent of black people.  Balance in all things," God continued pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."
Impressed by God's work, the Archangel pointed to a land area and   said, "What's that one?"
"Ah," said God, "That's Washington State, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, lakes, forests, hills, and plains. The people from Washington State are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to be found  traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking, high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats, and carriers of peace."
Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then asked, "But what   about balance, God?  You said there would be balance."
God smiled, "There is another Washington. Wait till you see the idiots I put there."