Bibledoorajar applauds Esther's increased understanding

     Esther now has news from Mordecai and it is serious. She has gone from not understanding why her beloved uncle was so upset to realizing she and all her people are in serious danger. Mordecai has appealed to her to use her influence with the king on their behalf. This is a troubling request as the king has not sent for her in some time. Unless the king extends his scepter, an uncalled for appearance could mean premature trouble for her.

     At this time of year, it is a good thing for all of us to realize that the child whose birth we celebrate is now THE KING OF KINGS. He extends his scepter to all who wish to come. No appearance is uncalled for. For those of us who have chosen allegiance to this King, He beckons us, the church, to join Him in saving others who are in serious danger of eternal losses.

    Mary, did you know that your baby boy

would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

would save your sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary Did You Know by Mary Lowry

Bibledoorajar praises God for the gift of Christ's Obedience

     "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone

who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and

that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."

     Mordecai humbled himself, taking on the position of an outcast from the earthly powers in order to seek his God to save his people. From this lowly position he cries out. From heaven, his God hears his cries. God brings the cries and the lowly outcast position to the attention of Esther who sits in the powerful palace. Mordecai has gone to the gate of the palace, for no one could enter the palace in mourning clothes. Now the news of the king's degree has reached the Jews in the provinces. Understanding the implications, they, too, "fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes."

Esther is deeply distressed when her maids tell her the news of her uncle and her people. She remembers his sweet counsel over the years of her life. In the painting above by Aert de Gelder this wise counsel is noted. Esther wants to comfort Mordecai, but must know more about why he is so troubled. She appoints her attendant, Hathach, to go and find out why her uncle is so distraught. Mordecai was prepared. He gave Hathach, the exact amount of money that Haman would pay into the treasury for the destruction of the Jews and he also gave him a copy of the decree that was issued in Susa exacting the death of the Jews. He asked Hathach to return to Esther with the following: 1)full explanation of the crisis, 2) appeal to her to go to the king and beg for mercy and plead for her people.

"He came into the very world he created, but the world

didn't recognize him, they rejected him. But to all who believed

him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn--

not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth

that comes from God."

John 1:10-13

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if

anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. 

He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the

sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world."

1John 2: 1-2

"Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room."

Bibledoorajar is impressed with how Mordecai takes victory over Haman in prayer

     "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery

trials which is to try you, as though some strange

thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you

partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory

is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

If you are reproached for the name of Christ; blessed

are you, for the Spirit of God rests upon you."

                                                                                   1 Pet. 4:12-14

     Mordecai has chosen his method for overcoming Haman. He will go to God about the disorder and tribulation that Haman wishes to bring forth. As he sits humbly in sackcloth and ashes, Mordecai can remember the past, the present and the future. He can remember and remind God of His faithfulness to His children in the past; "God, you are a good God, ever protecting your people". He can describe the present tribulation and impending disorder to God. Not that God does not already know, but Mordecai can give his perspective on how terrible this reproach would be on the glory of His Name and His people. Lastly, he can place his hope for future rescue squarely upon God and His mighty power. His appeal will be that, somehow, someway, God will disrupt Haman's plans before the eleventh month arrives. Perhaps the rescue may not come until the eleventh hour of the eleventh month. Will Mordecai persevere? Will he "cave" and bow to man? 

     The scripture says that Mordecai did not cave. He rent his clothes and cried out to God because His people were suffering due to God and His values. Such persecution seems to come in this world system for those who proclaim their allegiance to the kingdom of God. Christ actually tells us to be of good cheer under these circumstances:

"In the world you will have tribulation;

but be of good cheer, I have overcome

the world."

John 16:33

By faith, we are to believe that however, and whenever, Christ will overcome. This challenge is to believe this even though our overcoming may take our earthly lives. The goal is to learn to share in the battle against evil at this level.

"Dear Maria, I think that we're going to have an

exceptionally good Christmas...I used to be fond of 

thinking up and giving presents, but now that we

have nothing to give, the gift that God gave us in the

birth of Christ will seem all the more glorious: the emptier

our hands, the better we understand...The poorer our quarters,

the more clearly we perceive that our work should be

Christs' here on earth."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer to his fiance' in

Love Letters From Cell 92.

Bibledoorajar prays that whatever your circumstances this Christmas season, you may rejoice with exceeding joy. "Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem. Come, and behold Him, born the King of angels. Oh, come let us adore Him. Oh, come let us adore Him. Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord."