March 4 – Esther 3-5
Request: Lord, there will be times you ask me to stand courageously for you. And there may be times when the path or plan feels unclear. Help me know that you have a plan and help me rest in that truth.
Read: Esther 3-5
Record: Record a key verse and then write anything that stands out to you in this part of Esther’s story.
Respond: Write a prayer responding to God about the verse you just read. Let’s not just pick a verse and move on. Let’s interact with God about it.
Question to Ponder: What is God asking you to do as first steps as you build the courage to speak? (for example- Esther sought council, she prayed, she had other people pray, she was very clear and factual.)
My Ponder:
I love that Esther was calculated and thought out. She didn’t just step into this critical situation with recklessness. She prayed, she sought council, and she planned. As I boldly find my voice, I need to ask friends to keep me lifted in prayer, and I need to ask God what He specifically wants me to share.
My verse: Esther 4:16, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
My Response: Lord, I know you have a plan and steps you want me to take as I stand boldly for you. Help me listen and do only what you have directed. Keep me from running ahead or going in my own direction. I want to be in step with you every step of the process.
1 Comment. Leave new
My verses: (I keep having to choose two!) Esther 3:5-6 “When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.”
My response: No wonder, Lord, that you tell us not to fall into rage! (Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage …”) It’s evil. It’s over the top, vicious, and cruel. It cares nothing for people – only about revenge and dominance. Keep me from it, Lord. It’s an unholy tool of the enemy.
My ponder: I literally am in the middle of a situation where I need to speak a hard truth to someone I don’t even know that well. [sigh] I love that Esther can guide me in this. Perhaps fast, definitely pray, enlist others to pray with me, and only speak out after I am spiritually prepared and listening to the Spirit so what I do is Spirit-led. God timed today’s reading … for me! 🙂 (And I am sure for many others as well)