Esther 10

Esther 10:1

You and I have a Savior who is going to bring real peace to their world someday. It is interesting to note that there are three prayers the Jews pray at the time of the Feast of Purim. In the first prayer they thank Jehovah that they are counted worthy. In the second prayer they thank Him for preserving their ancestors. In the third prayer they thank Him that they have lived to enjoy another festival. We as Christians see in the Passover Feast a spiritual meaning"…Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1Co_5:7). He is the salvation of God for us. In the Feast of Purim we see the keeping power of God. His providence, His sovereignty. As the writer of the Proverbs puts it, “The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD” (Pro_16:33). He will keep His nation Israel; He will keep His church; and He will keep the individuals who are His. He is able to save to the uttermost those who come unto God through Him. 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, obeying God’s Word. “He knows and loves and cares, Nothing this truth can dim: He gives the very best to those Who leave the choice to Him.” My friend, He wants to lead you by His eye. We need to move closer to Him today. Most believers know only of the distant providence of God which leads from way out yonder those who won’t be led. How many Christians today are walking in their own will! Things are going nicely. The sun is shining in the sky and the stones are removed from their pathway. They think they can work everything out by themselves; so they don’t look to God. Then one day the winds begin to howl, the waves begin to roll, the way seems dark, and all of a sudden they cry out to Him, “Lord save me; I am perishing! Show me the way.” Then if they get through that crisis, they say, “The Lord led me.” My friend, only by God’s providence did He lead you. You were actually not in the will of God. So much is said today about the dedication of life and heart. I get so weary of hearing, “Come and dedicate your life to God.” My friend, I am not asking you to do that. You can get down on your knees right now and dedicate your heart and life, and tomorrow you can be entirely out of God’s will. At that point you revert to being moved again by the providence of God. Oh, He wants to leads you todayHe wants to guide you directly. I don’t care who you are, or where you are going, He will overrule you.

You may be a Hitler, or a Stalin, or even a Judas Iscariot. God overruled Judas, and He will overrule you, friend. But you can know the luxury and joy of coming to Himnot just in one actbut moment by moment, day by day, seeking God’s will for your life. You can begin to walk outfrom wherever you are nowin the will of God. What joy there is in walking in His will! However, if you slip out from under God’s direct dealings, you have not slipped out from under His providential dealings. God ever stands in the shadows, keeping watch over His own.