Wow, we have made it through the book of Esther! I hope you have enjoyed your time in Esther as much as I have! There were so many wonderful lessons in the book of Esther. I have really loved reading your thoughts and your S.O.A.P.s. Thanks so much for sharing!
Here are my S.O.A.P.s for chapters 8, 9, and 10 of Esther.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Esther 8
Scripture: Esther 8:1-2 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.
Esther 8:15 When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.
Observations: The same day that Haman was hanged, Queen Esther was given the estate of Haman. Mordecai is able to come into the presence of the king because Esther reveals to the king that he is her cousin. In the past, Mordecai was only able to come as far as the gate, now he is in the presence of the king. The king gives his signet ring to Mordecai after taking it from Haman. Esther appoints Mordecai as the overseer of the estate.
God has exalted the humble. When Mordecai leaves the king’s presence, he is wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. Praise God!
Application: Just when we think the worst is going to happen, God steps in with a different ending that we could have ever imagined! When we live in humble submission to God, He will lift us up in due time – in His time, not ours. All I have to do is what is right before God. He tells me in His Word in Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” What a harvest Mordecai and Esther reaped because they did not give up…they were faithful to God and trusted in Him. We can be persistent in our requests to God as Esther was with the king as she interceded for the lives of her people.
In this chapter, I am reminded of how the veil was torn in the temple the day that Jesus died for our sins. Because of the sinless life of Jesus, He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins that paid the debt we owed and could never pay. The penalty for sin is death. There had to be a sinless sacrifice and Jesus was our sinless sacrifice. His life and death have given us direct access to the very throne of God. We can boldly approach the throne of God with our requests (Hebrews 4:16) because we are in right standing with God with the blood of Jesus applied to our lives.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for hearing our prayers. I am so grateful that I can enter into Your presence and fellowship with you in prayer because of what Jesus has done for me. Help me to never give up in doing good, trusting that victory awaits me in Heaven when I finally see You face to face. Thank You, Jesus, for paying a debt I could never pay when You lived a sinless life and died in my place. The penalty for sin is death and You have redeemed me through Your precious blood. It’s in your sinless name I pray. Amen!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Esther 9
Scripture: Esther 9: 1 On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.
Observations: God has given us the victory
through Jesus Christ. Satan has already been defeated by the precious blood of
Jesus! Although we have this truth to stand on, we will continually be fighting
a spiritual battle until God calls us home because Satan will not give up in
trying to steal, kill, and destroy with his lies. We have been provided with
the power of the Holy Spirit and the armor of God to wear for our battles here
on this earth. We have to surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit at work
within us and we have to take up and put on our spiritual armor of God every
day. The difficulties we face in this world remind us that this world is not
our home. We must recognize the spiritual battle we are in…we must keep our
eyes on Jesus and recognize our need for His power at work within us that will
give us the strength we need to stand against the wiles of the devil and his
temptations to revert to the ways of the old man that we exchanged for new life
in Christ.
As I was reading chapter 9 about Mordecai’s
edict that was given as a defense to Haman’s edict that couldn’t be revoked,
the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the law of sin and death (which cannot be
revoked) and the law of the Spirit of Life (that was given so that we could
overcome the first) available when we surrender to Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of
this battle with the law of sin and death and the Spirit of Life in Romans
7:19-25.
Application: I am a new creation in Christ
Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Him, I have been created for good works
(Ephesians 2:10). The same Holy Spirit power that resurrected Jesus Christ now
lives in me enabling me to walk in this newness of life (Romans 8:11). Romans
8:2 says I have been set free from the law of sin and death through Jesus
Christ through Whom we have the law of the Spirit of Life.
It is God’s grace – His empowering presence
that now lives in us – that enables us to be who He has created us anew to be
and to do what He calls us to do. God’s grace is our hope that we do not have
to remain defeated by the power of sin as we surrender to the power of the Holy
Spirit now at work within us as His children. Praise His holy name!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the
power of the Holy Spirit that is alive and active in my life as Your child. I
pray that You would plant this truth deep down inside my heart. Help me to
surrender to Your strength at work within me to overcome the power of sin and
death that is still at work in this evil world. Help me to be an overcomer
through the blood of Jesus and through the power of the Spirit of Life that is
living in me. I pray this all in the life-changing and overcoming name of
Jesus! Amen!
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Esther 10
Scripture: 10:3 Mordecai the Jew was second
in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by
his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up
for the welfare of all the Jews.
Observations: Mordecai’s faithful conduct
and concern for his fellow Jews led others to hold him in high esteem. His life’s
example influenced Esther’s life as well and caused her to place her life on
the line for the Jewish people. Mordecai’s convictions were backed up by a life
of action. Because of Mordecai’s servant heart, God exalted him and placed him
where he could serve his people more effectively. The same can be said of Queen
Esther as well.
Application: Is my life having a Godly
influence on others He has placed in my life and put in my path? How am I
applying action to my convictions? Am I living a selfless life like Queen
Esther lived? Am I fearing God more than fearing man like Mordecai and Queen
Esther? Am I effectively serving where God has placed me?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, as we come to the
end of our study in Esther, I pray that You would help me to examine my heart
and my life. Please help me apply what I’ve observed in these passages to my
own personal life. Thank You, Jesus, for living a life of serving the needs of
others. Help me to love and serve others by the example You have shown. In the
loving name of Jesus I pray. Amen!
Now it's your turn! Please share your final thoughts on these chapters in Esther in the comments section below.
Today...Wednesday...we begin reading in 1 Peter! Here is our reading plan for the rest of this week:
I hope you'll meet me back here on Friday to begin our discussions on 1 Peter! Thanks for joining me!
Walking in His Grace,
Laurie
Be sure to check out Courtney Joseph's latest Blogging Through the Bible post by clicking on the link below, and let her know you are coming over from Grace-Filled-Moments! :)
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