Esther 1-5: Esther is a book that does not ever mention God and yet He is all through it. From the selection of an adopted young girl raised to the pinnacle in the country her people had been taken captive to, the whole story reflects the sovereignty of God.
It is also about the faith of God’s people and the courage of a young woman who could have seen herself as a victim but instead realized God’s hand was on her and she was a victor. One of my favorite scriptures in Ruth is when faced with death and annihilation of her people her response is
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.”
Such boldness and bravery did not come from this woman on her own. She knew through prayer and fasting to God she would do all she could do and He would do the rest. This my friend is that same “but if not” faith that the 3 Hebrew boys showed in Daniel when faced with being thrown into the fiery pit. It is the same strong faith shown by Daniel as he faced the lions. It is the kind of faith that would help the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. By faith Esther faced the possible death to bring life to her people.
My friend I don’t know what you face today but the same God that was with Esther is with you. His power is available to you! Pray, fast then step out in faith knowing that no matter what God has got you as well. Ask others to join you as you pray. Then be confident in the God who created all things for He is able to do as Ephesians 3 says more than you can dream or imagine according to His power.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1-3; WE’RE GOING HOME! Don’t know you those were the words spoken time after time after time by the children of Israel help in captivity in Babylon. They were finally going home and God had worked a miracle in the heart of the king. He was giving them the opportunity to return. All they had to do was pack their bags and return. He also gave them the mandate to rebuild of all things, The Temple! The very place they had met God. Ezra and other leaders were getting the plans together and soon they would be HOME!
I can’t imagine how excited those weary captives must have been but can’t you just hear the excitement in their voices? Can you imagine the river of tears they must have shed as they placed belongings on mule back or on camels and joined the caravan going back to Jerusalem. Can you also imagine the tears as they topped the last mountain and saw their beloved homeland in shambles. Walls were broken down, fields were over grown and signs of life were few and far between. Yet they were going home and they would rebuild.
Can you imagine the shouts of joy as the cornerstone was once again laid to the temple? There was much work to do, but they were finally back and little by little they would rebuild.
This is the story of many today. They have found themselves captive to sin, addiction, ungodly lifestyles, and yet God offers them a chance to come HOME! Sure there may be ruins to rebuild. There are relationships to mend and heal, but The King offers opportunity to come back into right relationship with Him. Oh my friend, don’t delay. There are many of us here waiting for you to come back. Yes much may have changed, but it is time to write a new story. The old is past, behold there are many great things in the new that is head. I invite you Christian brothers and sisters to welcome those who have been far away back into the family fold as well. It is never too late for the captive to return HOME!

Ezekiel 21-24: I am worn out with the lamenting and sadness we have read through the last month. Israel’s disobedience and captivity can be hard to read through! I was asking the Lord for something positive to write about today and this is what came to mind.
For those of you who are parents or who have ever worked with kids, you know how there are some children that you can look at with a corrective eye and they will straighten up. My mom was the master at this from the choir on Sunday mornings. You knew when she looked at you with “that look” you had better straighten up and fly right. Then you have some that look straight back at you, smile or laugh and keep right on going. That is when mom would put her head right next to my head in church like she was lovingly kissing me, but through gritted teeth she would say, “If you do not straighten up right now I am about to take you out.” Now she wasn’t talking about killing me, but she was planning something outside that would tan my hide and make me want to stop talking and pay attention. Then there was the time when she would lift you up by your arm, march you out the front doors of the church and yes apply the board of education to my seat of learning. I would know I had crossed the line and needed and deserved what I had done.
As I look at Israel and Judah God had been so gracious to them. He had sent the look through the prophets words. He had sent the speech through gritted teeth through the difficulties of life, but here God is taking them by the arm and marching them out the door! He is applying His board of education to them with the intent that they turn from worshipping worthless gods and themselves and turn back to Him.
America, Oh how I hope we will learn from the lesser disciplines to come back to God. This is not a political issue. It is not a social issue. It has no color or gender. It is a heart issue. We choose. We listen and obey or suffer the consequences. God is pleading with us. He longs to lovingly move us back to right relationship, but if the gentle reminders cease to work, the strong arm will come. I pray especially for the church. We know the right way. He is peering at us with loving eyes saying, return. His word stands as a constant reminder of right behavior. Oh read, listen and obey.
This child of God has had enough whippings. I have felt His breath on my head as through gritted teeth He has said, enough. I am running so hard to Him I am out of breath. Oh sister, brother, come and join me!