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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise The text says, “The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, killing and destroying them, and did as they pleased to those who hated them” (Esth 9:5). This event is a type of your coming judgment on the wicked, for one day your Son, Jesus Christ, will return to earth and kill all His enemies (Rev 19:15). I praise you today as the God of justice, the God who executes judgment on the ungodly (Jude 1:14–15). Praise the Lord! Today in Your Word Today you told me the conclusion of the story of Esther. Esther revealed her Jewish ancestry to Ahasuerus, and Haman was hanged on his own gallows. The king then gave orders that the Jews could defend themselves, and they won a great victory over their enemies. Mordecai was promoted to the highest position in the kingdom, and he spent the rest of his life working for the good of his people and his nation. This part of the story teaches me several lessons. First, Esther’s method of appealing to the king shows wisdom and courage. Instead of blurting out her request, she made Ahasuerus curious by inviting him to a banquet. The anticipation of learning her true desire made him all the more willing to grant her request. There may come a time when I will need to appeal to someone in authority over me, and I can adapt Esther’s example to my own situation. Second, the decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves shows that there are times when it’s appropriate to take up arms to defend the safety and security of my family. I should “turn the other cheek” in cases where the offense is not life-threatening, and I am never to seek revenge, but there are times when you authorize me to defend myself and others, even to the point of killing my attacker (cf. Exodus 22:2; 2 Sam 2:18–23). Third, Mordecai’s willingness to work for a dictator shows me that its appropriate to work for good in worldly administrations and governments. While I should never condone corruption or wickedness, it’s possible for me to accomplish great things for you while serving an ungodly regime (cf. Gen 41:39–44; Dan 6:1–3). Reflection The text says, “Therefore the Jews of the villages…hold the fourteenth day…as a day for gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and as a day on which they send gifts of food to one another” (Esth 9:19). Am I celebrating the miracles that you have done in my own life? Request Father, help me “to aspire to live quietly, and to mind my own affairs, and to work with my own hands” (1 Thess 4:11). If, like Esther, you ever call on me to do some great deed, I’ll be prepared because I’ve been living in harmony with your Word. Thanksgiving Thank you for the book of Esther. Even though you aren’t mentioned explicitly in the text, you are the true hero of the story. You are my fortress and my rock, my guardian and protector. I'm always safe in the shelter of your arms! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Give to the Winds Thy Fears” — John Wesley. Meditation Verse: Esther 10:3.