Today's bible reading is somber. Mordecai learns of King Xerxe's decree to kill all the Jewish people in 12 months. Lets read along and discover the strategy that develops in this chapter.
Chapter 4 Verses 1-3. When Mordecai hears of the decree, he tore his clothes, put on a sackcloth and ashes, and walked around in the city wailing loudly. This is a tradition the Jewish peoples when they are in mourning or have sinned. There was a great mourning amongst all the Jews when they heard about this also. They also fasted, and many wore sackcloths and ashes.
Verses 4-7 Esthers maids went to Esther and told her about Mordecai. She sent clothes to him but he refused to wear them. She sent Hathach to Mordecai to find out why he was in mourning. Hathach spoke with Mordecai and he relayed the story back to Esther.
Verses 8-12 Mordecai asks Esther to speak to the king and intercede on behalf of all Jews. Esther relays back to Mordecai that if one speaks to the King without being summoned they will be put to death. And it has been 30 days since she had seen the king.
Verses 13-14 Mordecai responds to Esther saying that there is a purpose for Esther to be Queen in such a time as this, so they need to come up with a plan to save the Jewish nation. Mordecai realizes that God has place Esther where she is as part of God's plan.
Verses 15-17 Esther replies back to Mordecai that she and her maids will fast for 3 days and she asks Mordecai to assemble all the Jews in Susa to also fast. Then she will go to the King. She says if I die, I die. Wow, such wisdom and strength for a young woman! Mordecai follows Esther's instructions.
Father God, today we read about how Esther plans how to save the Jewish people in the land. She places the lives of others before her, she fasts and asks others to do the same. She has prepared an action plan and will boldly do whatever it takes to see the king. I pray that if we encounter such dire situations that we will be level headed like Esther, look at the big picture, fast and pray and ask other believers to do the same for us. We ask for you to intercede on behalf of our pleas. You alone can work miracles when we come to you with the right attitude of prayer and fasting. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
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