Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to aa the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as a month when their sorrow was turned to joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them.
– Esther 9:20-23
Devotion
As the result of Esther’s request to the king, Xerxes granted her and her people favor over their adversaries. In memory of this great deliverance, the feast of Purim was established. According to Jewish tradition, “all the feasts shall cease in the days of the Messiah, except the feast of Purim.” The celebration of this feast is always a day of rejoicing. The first part of the day is spent in the study of the book of Esther; the second is wholly given over to keeping the holiday. This truly is a celebration and remembrance of God’s deliverance for His people even while they were in exile. The book of Esther provides us with one of the greatest illustrations of the providence of God. In the feast of Purim, we see the keeping power of God, His providence, His sovereignty.
The Big Question
Christ will keep His church; and He will hold in the palm of His hands those who are His. It is a sad commentary on the present generation that most Christians know only a distant, providential oversight. They do not learn to walk with God in close fellowship. Are you one today who is walking in your own will? Is everything working out okay so that you don’t look to God for guidance and help? Are you experiencing the joy that comes from an intimate relationship with the Father and from walking in His will? What is your biggest take-away from the book of Esther?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what God has revealed to you today.