Jeffrey Holton
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives

A PASTOR IN TRANSFORMATION

Foundations Week 27, Day 5

8/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Scripture Read: Esther 3 - 4
Title:  Haman and Mordecai

H.E.A.R. 
(H) Highlight verse: "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." Esther 4:16

(E) Explain:  Enter Haman.  Haman was appointed above all the officials, and the king's servants.  People revered him and paid him homage.  The king had commanded that all people bow to him, but Mordecai refused.  We are not given a reason why he refused, but we know that his refusal infuriated Haman.  In response Haman went to the king and told him about Mordecai's obstinance.  So Mordecai asked the king if he would approve a plan that would eliminate all the Jews in the land.  He offered to pay 10,000 talents to anyone who wuld oversee this and put the money in the king's treasury.  Once word got out about this plan of destruction Mordecai tore his clothes and clothed himself in sackcloth and cried out in the city center.  This deeply distressed queen Esther and she contacted Mordecai through one of her attendants.  He told her about the decree and asked Esther to go and talk to the king on his and all the other Jews behalf.  She told him to do so would be a death sentence to her because nobody could enter the king's court unannounced.  Eventually she agrees to go to the king, even though she may be put to death for doing so.  Her words "If I perish, I perish" is her way of saying, "I am willing to do this even though I may lose my life over it, but so be it."

(A) Application:  God is completely in control of all aspect of life.  He is not surprised by anything, including the mess that Mordecai and the Jews were facing.  It is here that the plot thickens and the outcome seems bleak.  A call to completely obliterate all Jews in Persia is announced by an evil man and endorsed by the king.  All hope seems lost, the Jews destruction is imminent, but Mordecai has one hope and that hope is in Queen Esther.  The unfortunate problem is that the queen does not have access to or influence over the king.  Although we don't specifically read that she put her future and life in the hands of God, we can certainly come to that conclusion.  Esther knew her future and destiny was out of her hands and in the hands of one greater than her.  I think it is safe to say that she put her trust in God's protection as she agrees go before the king.  She was not afraid to die and she was hopeful that he would respond positively to her.

We would all do well if we were able to take on the attitude of Queen Esther.  Our lives, and future are in the hands of the true King.  We may not know what our future looks like, we may not even know what the day may hold for us, but we do know that our lives are in the hands of our loving, merciful and gracious King.  For me I trust God completely with my life and future.  I don't take this to mean that God will give to me an easy stress free life without complication, pain or suffering.  No, I know all of that is part of my future and even present.  But I am good with that.  I know God has me in his hands and whatever happens in my life, good or bad, He is still with me and guiding my way.  He does the same for you as well.

(R) Respond: Lord I do not know what today, tommorrow or next week hold in store for me, but I trust that you are with me and I will live my life completely submitted to your will.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.



    Picture
    Jeff has been in ministry for well over two decades. He currently serves as Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Southside Campus in Bradenton, Florida.

    Jeff Has authored an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). Both are available on Amazon.

    He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea.
    Preview or purchase Jeff's Books






    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives