Saturday, December 31, 2016
LHM Daily Devotion - "Everything Is New"
January 1, 2017
And at the end of eight days ... He was circumcised ... (Luke 2:21, ESV)
New Year's Day was always an exciting new beginning. If the old year had brought us pain and misery, we could rejoice that it was over, gone, behind us. And in the dawning of a new day, there was the hope the New Year would be so much better.
This day was also a new beginning for the Baby Jesus. Jesus is eight days old, and it is now time to circumcise Him, according to the Law of the Lord. This ceremony made Jesus a member of God's people Israel. It also bound Him under the Law, obligating Him to keep that Law perfectly. As our Substitute, Jesus perfectly obeyed God's Law, so His perfection, holiness and righteousness might be ours, covering our failings, our flaws, and our sins.
But His circumcision carries with it the reminder that Jesus will not simply cover our sin, He will remove it from us -- forever. On this eighth day of His young life, Jesus first sheds His blood for us, but it will certainly not be the last time He does this. On a dark day some 30 years into the future, Jesus will shed His blood and die on the cross to satisfy God's wrath against our sins.
The symbolism of His circumcision and our Baptism both remind us of God's work, cutting off our sinful nature or drowning it. In Baptism God makes us new creatures, so we can stand before Him spotless and pure through Jesus Christ.
What a way to start a New Year!
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, in Your circumcision Your blood was first shed as our Substitute. Cut the sin from our hearts, that we may enter this New Year in Your holiness and purity. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Devociones de Adviento - Un nombre sobre todo nombre
Domingo 01 de Enero
Lucas 2:21
Cumplidos los ocho días para que el niño fuera circuncidado, le pusieron por nombre JESÚS, que era el nombre que el ángel le había puesto antes de que fuera concebido. (Lc 2:21, RVC)
¿Cómo se va a llamar? ¿Qué nombre le pondrán? Típicas preguntas dirigidas a quienes esperan un bebé. Si es varón, quizá sea el nombre de un abuelo, de un tío o del padre. Si es mujer, quizá sea el nombre de una abuela, de la madre, o de alguna mujer famosa. En muchos casos, el nombre que se le pone a un recién nacido va cargado de grandes expectativas. En otros, no es más que una simple etiqueta que distingue. "Suena bien", explican los padres.
Por lo general, en la Biblia el nombre define el rol o función que esa persona ha de desempeñar en la vida. El nombre Jesús-en hebreo Yehoshúa-es el mismo nombre que llevara Josué, quien tomó la posta de Moisés y llevó a Israel a la tierra prometida. Un nombre sublime, por cierto, que significa "Yahvé salva" o "Yahvé es salvación". ¡Tan altas expectativas traía el hijo de María sobre sus espaldas, incluso antes de nacer! Su vida y su ministerio nos mostrarían que ese nombre no le quedó grande. Su obediencia, muerte y resurrección confirmaron que ése era el nombre apropiado.
Nuestra condición de pecadores perdidos y condenados necesitaba de un Salvador como Él. En su nombre fueron curados leprosos, expulsados demonios y los muertos salieron de la tumba. ¡Bendito y sublime nombre! En el nombre de Jesús, hoy podemos renacer a una nueva vida. Conozcamos la obra de quien porta ese nombre. Confesemos con fe ese nombre. Doblemos nuestras rodillas ante él. Empecemos este nuevo año en el nombre de JESÚS.
Jesús divino, gran rey del mundo, en este día reconozco y venero tu santo nombre. Sé mi salvador y guía en este nuevo año. Amén.
© Copyright 2016 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
Lucas 2:21
Cumplidos los ocho días para que el niño fuera circuncidado, le pusieron por nombre JESÚS, que era el nombre que el ángel le había puesto antes de que fuera concebido. (Lc 2:21, RVC)
¿Cómo se va a llamar? ¿Qué nombre le pondrán? Típicas preguntas dirigidas a quienes esperan un bebé. Si es varón, quizá sea el nombre de un abuelo, de un tío o del padre. Si es mujer, quizá sea el nombre de una abuela, de la madre, o de alguna mujer famosa. En muchos casos, el nombre que se le pone a un recién nacido va cargado de grandes expectativas. En otros, no es más que una simple etiqueta que distingue. "Suena bien", explican los padres.
Por lo general, en la Biblia el nombre define el rol o función que esa persona ha de desempeñar en la vida. El nombre Jesús-en hebreo Yehoshúa-es el mismo nombre que llevara Josué, quien tomó la posta de Moisés y llevó a Israel a la tierra prometida. Un nombre sublime, por cierto, que significa "Yahvé salva" o "Yahvé es salvación". ¡Tan altas expectativas traía el hijo de María sobre sus espaldas, incluso antes de nacer! Su vida y su ministerio nos mostrarían que ese nombre no le quedó grande. Su obediencia, muerte y resurrección confirmaron que ése era el nombre apropiado.
Nuestra condición de pecadores perdidos y condenados necesitaba de un Salvador como Él. En su nombre fueron curados leprosos, expulsados demonios y los muertos salieron de la tumba. ¡Bendito y sublime nombre! En el nombre de Jesús, hoy podemos renacer a una nueva vida. Conozcamos la obra de quien porta ese nombre. Confesemos con fe ese nombre. Doblemos nuestras rodillas ante él. Empecemos este nuevo año en el nombre de JESÚS.
Jesús divino, gran rey del mundo, en este día reconozco y venero tu santo nombre. Sé mi salvador y guía en este nuevo año. Amén.
© Copyright 2016 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
Our Daily Bread - Thanks-Living
By Anne Cetas
Read: Psalm 23 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 1–3; Matthew 1
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23:6
Wanting to mature in her spiritual life and become more thankful, Sue started what she called a Thanks-Living jar. Each evening she wrote on a small piece of paper one thing she thanked God for and dropped it in the jar. Some days she had many praises; other difficult days she struggled to find one. At the end of the year she emptied her jar and read through all of the notes. She found herself thanking God again for everything He had done. He had given simple things like a beautiful sunset or a cool evening for a walk in the park, and other times He had provided grace to handle a difficult situation or had answered a prayer.
Sue’s discovery reminded me of what the psalmist David says he experienced (Ps. 23). God refreshed him with “green pastures” and “quiet waters” (vv. 2–3). He gave him guidance, protection, and comfort (vv. 3–4). David concluded: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life” (v. 6).
I’m going to make a Thanks-Living jar this year. Maybe you’d like to as well. I think we’ll see we have many reasons to thank God—including His gifts of friends and family and His provisions for our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. We’ll see that the goodness and love of God follow us all the days of our lives.
Dear Lord, You bless me in more ways than I can count. Thank You for Your love for me.
When you think of all that’s good, give thanks to God.
© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries
Nuestro Pan Diario - El tarro de gratitud
Por Anne Cetas
Leer: Salmo 23 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 1
Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida… (Salmo 23:6).
Susi quería madurar espiritualmente y ser más agradecida; entonces, empezó lo que llamó «el tarro de gratitud». Cada noche, escribía algo por lo que estaba agradecida a Dios y lo ponía en el tarro. A veces, tenía muchos motivos para alabar, pero en jornadas difíciles, luchaba por encontrar alguno. A fin de año, vació el tarro y leyó todas las notas. De pronto, vio que estaba dando gracias a Dios por todo lo que Él había hecho; cosas sencillas, como un hermoso atardecer o una noche fresca para salir a caminar, y otras situaciones en que había provisto su gracia para enfrentar una dificultad o había contestado una oración.
Su descubrimiento me recuerda la experiencia del salmista David
(Salmo 23). Dios lo renovó en «delicados pastos” y «aguas de reposo»
(vv. 2-3); lo guió, protegió y consoló (vv. 3-4). Entonces, concluyó:
«Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi
vida» (v. 6).
Este año, voy a hacer un tarro de gratitud. Quizá te gustaría hacer lo mismo. Estoy segura de que tendremos muchas razones para dar gracias a Dios: los amigos y los familiares que nos regala, y su provisión para nuestras necesidades físicas, espirituales y emocionales. Veremos que el bien y la misericordia del Señor nos siguen todos los días.
© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Este año, voy a hacer un tarro de gratitud. Quizá te gustaría hacer lo mismo. Estoy segura de que tendremos muchas razones para dar gracias a Dios: los amigos y los familiares que nos regala, y su provisión para nuestras necesidades físicas, espirituales y emocionales. Veremos que el bien y la misericordia del Señor nos siguen todos los días.
Señor, gracias por amarme.
Cuando pienses en todo lo bueno, da gracias a Dios.
© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Unser Täglich Brot - Dankbar leben
Von Anne Cetas
Lesen: Psalm 23 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Mose 1–3; Matthäus 1
Gutes und Barmherzigkeit werden mir folgen mein Leben lang. Psalm 23,6
Sue wollte gern im Glauben wachsen und dankbarer werden. Deshalb stellte sie einen „Dankbarkeits-Krug“ auf. Jeden Abend schrieb sie auf einen kleinen Zettel, wofür sie Gott danken wollte, und warf ihn in den Krug. An manchen Tagen hatte sie viel zu loben; an anderen wollte ihr kaum etwas einfallen. Am Jahresende leerte sie den Krug, las die Zettel durch und dankte Gott noch einmal für alles, was er getan hatte. Darunter waren so einfache Dinge wie ein herrlicher Sonnenuntergang oder ein Abendspaziergang im Park. Oder er hatte ihr geholfen, mit einer schwierigen Situation fertig zu werden oder ein Gebet erhört.
Sues Erfahrung erinnert mich daran, was der Psalmist David über seine Erlebnisse schreibt (Ps. 23). Gott hatte ihn mit „grünen Auen“ und „frischem Wasser“ erquickt (V.2-3). Er hatte ihn geführt, beschützt und getröstet (V.3-4). Und David schloss daraus: „Gutes und Barmherzigkeit werden mir folgen mein Leben lang“ (V.6).
Dieses Jahr werde ich auch einen „Dankbarkeits-Krug“ aufstellen. Vielleicht tust du das auch. Ich denke, wir werden dabei feststellen, dass wir viele Gründe haben, Gott zu danken—zum Beispiel auch dafür, dass er uns Familie und Freunde schenkt und für unsere leiblichen, geistlichen und seelischen Bedürfnisse sorgt. Wir werden sehen, dass seine Güte und Barmherzigkeit uns ein Leben lang begleiten.
Lieber Herr, du schenkst mir viel mehr, als mir überhaupt bewusst ist. Hab Dank für deine Liebe.
Wenn du an die vielen guten Dinge in deinem Leben denkst, danke Gott dafür.
© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot
Хлеб наш насущный - Кувшин благодарностей
автор: Анн Ситас
Читать сейчас: Псалом 22 | Библия за год: Бытие 1-3; Матфея 1
Так, благость и милость Твоя да сопровождают меня во все дни жизни моей. — Псалом 22:6
Желая возрастать духовно и больше благодарить, Сью завела у себя особый кувшин. Каждый вечер она писала одну или несколько записок с благодарностями Богу и бросала туда. Иногда благодарностей было много, иногда ей с трудом удавалось найти хоть одну. В конце года она высыпала записки из кувшина и перечитала их. Ей еще раз захотелось поблагодарить Бога за все, что Он сделал. Он посылал ей много приятных мелочей: живописные закаты и прогулки по парку в прохладе вечера. В другие периоды дары были больше и значительней: помощь в трудном положении или ответ на молитву.
Открытие Сью напомнило мне о том, что пережил Давид (Пс. 22). Бог питал его на злачных пажитях и водил к тихим водам (Пс. 22:2-3). Он вел, защищал и утешал его (Пс. 22:3-4). В завершение Давид с благодарностью пишет: «Так, благость и милость Твоя да сопровождают меня во все дни жизни моей» (Пс. 22:6).
Я хочу тоже завести у себя такой кувшин. Возможно, и вам этого захотелось. Думаю, мы найдем много поводов для благодарности Богу: друзья и семья, забота о наших телесных и духовных нуждах. Мы увидим, как благость и милость Божья сопровождают нас во все дни нашей жизни.
Господь, Твои благословения превышают число. Благодарю за то, что так любишь меня.
Вспоминая о хорошем, не забудьте поблагодарить Бога.
© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Notre Pain Quotidien - Une vie de gratitude
par Anne Cetas
Lisez : Psaume 23 | La Bible en un an : Genèse 1 – 3 et Matthieu 1
Dans l’espoir de gagner en maturité spirituelle et en gratitude, Sue s’est fait ce qu’elle appelle un vase de gratitude vivante. Chaque soir, elle écrivait sur un bout de papier une chose dont elle était reconnaissante à Dieu et le déposait ensuite dans son vase. Certains jours, les louanges lui venaient facilement ; d’autres fois, elle avait du mal à trouver un seul sujet. À la fin de l’année, elle a relu tous les mots que contenait son vase, louant ainsi Dieu de nouveau pour tout ce qu’il avait fait. Il lui avait accordé de petites choses comme un magnifique coucher de soleil ou une soirée assez fraîche pour lui permettre d’aller marcher dans un parc, ainsi que de grandes choses comme la grâce de surmonter une situation difficile ou l’exaucement d’une prière.
La découverte de Sue m’a rappelé ce que le psalmiste David a dit avoir vécu (PS 23). Dieu l’a fait se reposer « dans de verts pâturages » et « près des eaux paisibles » (V. 2). Il l’a conduit, protégé et rassuré (V. 3,4), ce dont David a d’ailleurs conclu : « Oui, le bonheur et la grâce m’accompagneront tous les jours de ma vie » (V. 6).
Je vais me faire cette année un vase de gratitude vivante. Vous plairait‑il d’en faire autant ? Je crois que nous découvririons ainsi de nombreuses raisons de remercier Dieu – y compris le don de nos amis et de nos proches, et la générosité avec laquelle il comble nos besoins physiques, spirituels et émotionnels, car sa bonté et son amour ne nous quittent jamais.
En réfléchissant à toute bonne chose, remerciez‑en Dieu.
© 2016 Ministères NPQ
The Daily Readings for SATURDAY, December 31, 2016 - Seventh Day of Christmas
First Reading
Isaiah 26:1-9On that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; he sets up victory like walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, so that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace-- in peace because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD GOD you have an everlasting rock. For he has brought low the inhabitants of the height; the lofty city he lays low. He lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust. The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy. The way of the righteous is level; O Just One, you make smooth the path of the righteous. In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and your renown are the soul's desire. My soul yearns for you in the night, my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Second Reading
2 Corinthians 5:16-6:2From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For he says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you." See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!
The Holy Gospel
John 8:12-19Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf." Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
Morning Psalms
Psalm 46 Deus noster refugium1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
3 Though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
4 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
6 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown; God shall help her at the break of day.
7 The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
8 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
9 Come now and look upon the works of the LORD, what awesome things he has done on earth.
10 It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
11 Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
12 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 48 Magnus Dominus
1 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2 Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3 God is in her citadels; he is known to be her sure refuge.
4 Behold, the kings of the earth assembled and marched forward together.
5 They looked and were astounded; they retreated and fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there; they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God has established her for ever.
8 We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.
9 Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; your right hand is full of justice.
10 Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments.
11 Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about her; count the number of her towers.
12 Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds; that you may tell those who come after.
13 This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore.
Evening Psalms
Psalm 90 Domine, refugium1 Lord, you have been our refuge from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born, from age to age you are God.
3 You turn us back to the dust and say, "Go back, O child of earth."
4 For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past and like a watch in the night.
5 You sweep us away like a dream; we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green and flourishes; in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7 For we consume away in your displeasure; we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
8 Our iniquities you have set before you, and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9 When you are angry, all our days are gone; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10 The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty; yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
11 Who regards the power of your wrath? who rightly fears your indignation?
12 So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
13 Return, O LORD; how long will you tarry? be gracious to your servants.
14 Satisfy us by your loving-kindness in the morning; so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Make us glad by the measure of the days that you afflicted us and the years in which we suffered adversity.
16 Show your servants your works and your splendor to their children.
17 May the graciousness of the LORD our God be upon us; prosper the work of our hands; prosper our handiwork.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.
Verse of the Day - December 31, 2016
Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 (NIV) This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Read all of Isaiah 43
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "Reading Your Own Obituary"
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15–16)
If you were to read your own obituary today, what do you think people would remember you for?
I read about a man who died and told the truth in his obituary. He confessed, "As it turns out, I am the guy who stole the safe from the Motor View Drive Inn back in June 1971. I could have left that unsaid, but I wanted to get it off my chest."
He also admitted to kicking rocks into the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park, and to being "banned for life" from Disneyland and Sea World following youthful hijinks.
His wife of 33 years confirmed the events he confessed were true. She added, "He wanted to set a new standard on how obituaries should be written." I appreciate the honesty, but hopefully you and I will be remembered for more than that.
You don't determine the date of your birth or the date of your death, but you determine what you do between those dates.
The great evangelist D.L. Moody was asked the question, "If you knew the Lord were returning tonight, how would you spend the rest of your day?" Moody replied, "I wouldn't do anything different than I do every day."
Is that how you live?
We ought to live each year as if it were our last. We are here to redeem the time, not waste it. It has been said that, "men talk of killing time while time quietly kills them."
Though I am not a big fan of making New Year's resolutions, I do think the new year is a great time to "recalibrate." We need to live our lives with an eternal perspective, because—all things considered—life here on earth comes and goes very quickly. The Bible describes it as a "vapor of smoke" and "a story already told." Then comes the afterlife.
How will you keep an eternal perspective?
In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny
Un Dia a la Vez - Oración por un nuevo comienzo
Nuestra boca se llenó de risas; nuestra lengua, de canciones jubilosas [...] Sí, el Señor ha hecho grandes cosas por nosotros, y eso nos llena de alegría. Salmo 126:2-3
Señor Jesús, solo pueden salir de mis labios palabras de agradecimiento por todo lo poderoso que has sido con nosotros en este año. En cada momento de mi vida estuviste a mi lado escuchando mi necesidad. Fuiste mi socorro en tiempos de angustia.
Gracias porque me ayudaste a que muchas de mis peticiones se hicieran realidad. Te agradezco también que me llenaras de valentía cuando pensaba que no sería capaz de salir adelante.
Te amo con todo con mi corazón y, a partir de hoy, entrego en tus manos mi vida, mi salud, mi economía, mi familia, mi trabajo y todos los anhelos profundos de mi corazón que ya tú conoces.
Guárdame, mi Dios, y acompáñame en mi entrar y en mi salir.
En el nombre de Jesús te lo pido, amén y amén.
NIV Devotions for Couples - When You Have to Say No
Esther 1:1–22
“This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.” Esther 1:18
King Xerxes, the military leader of the Medes and Persians, tried to fulfill his father’s failed plan to conquer Greece. Darius had been defeated at Marathon in 490 B.C. and had died soon after. Xerxes amassed one of the largest armies ever and marched back toward Greece. His army managed to get around the Spartan forces at Thermopylae but went down outside Athens when the Persian fleet was sunk in the bay of Salamis.
Esther 1 records what may have been Xerxes’ planning meeting for the military campaigns of 482–479 B.C. During this lengthy meeting (lasting 180 days), the men feasted and drank extensively. At one point, Xerxes commanded his wife, Vashti, to appear before the assembled men. We are not told why Vashti refused, but given the circumstances and the rate at which we can assume the men were consuming alcohol, perhaps Vashti was afraid they would ask her to act immodestly—or worse.
Xerxes reacted like a spoiled child. He was furious that his order had not been obeyed. His advisers encouraged the king’s stupidity. They proposed deposing Vashti as queen and banishing her from the presence of the king. Then they planned the first Miss Universe pageant to replace Vashti with someone more beautiful and (hopefully) more compliant.
Enter Mordecai and Esther, two Jews who were still living in Persia. Although Mordecai may have also had a Hebrew name, his Babylonian name may betray the comfort his family had with Babylonian life; it is derived from Marduk, the god Nebuchadnezzar followed and to whom he dedicated Babylon, his capital.
Ultimately, Esther was chosen to be the new queen, placing her in a position to intervene at a time when her people were threatened. Esther and Mordecai were able to save the Jews, but the dire threat made to exterminate them as a people during that time made its mark. Perhaps it was an impetus for Ezra and Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to help the Jews there rebuild the city’s walls and reclaim their spiritual foundations.
Within this story, Vashti often goes unrecognized as a heroine. Yet perhaps that should be acknowledged, particularly within the context of marriage. For while Vashti had been obedient to her husband in all things, there came a point when her moral fiber pulled taut and would not allow her to cross a line that required her to do something she knew was wrong.
In our marriages we need mutual submission and respect, as the apostle Paul wrote (see Ephesians 5:21–33). But we also need personal courage to say no to one another when decency is twisted or when obedience to little things would deny obedience to God’s greater ways.
Wayne Brouwer
Let’s Talk
“This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.” Esther 1:18
King Xerxes, the military leader of the Medes and Persians, tried to fulfill his father’s failed plan to conquer Greece. Darius had been defeated at Marathon in 490 B.C. and had died soon after. Xerxes amassed one of the largest armies ever and marched back toward Greece. His army managed to get around the Spartan forces at Thermopylae but went down outside Athens when the Persian fleet was sunk in the bay of Salamis.
Esther 1 records what may have been Xerxes’ planning meeting for the military campaigns of 482–479 B.C. During this lengthy meeting (lasting 180 days), the men feasted and drank extensively. At one point, Xerxes commanded his wife, Vashti, to appear before the assembled men. We are not told why Vashti refused, but given the circumstances and the rate at which we can assume the men were consuming alcohol, perhaps Vashti was afraid they would ask her to act immodestly—or worse.
Xerxes reacted like a spoiled child. He was furious that his order had not been obeyed. His advisers encouraged the king’s stupidity. They proposed deposing Vashti as queen and banishing her from the presence of the king. Then they planned the first Miss Universe pageant to replace Vashti with someone more beautiful and (hopefully) more compliant.
Enter Mordecai and Esther, two Jews who were still living in Persia. Although Mordecai may have also had a Hebrew name, his Babylonian name may betray the comfort his family had with Babylonian life; it is derived from Marduk, the god Nebuchadnezzar followed and to whom he dedicated Babylon, his capital.
Ultimately, Esther was chosen to be the new queen, placing her in a position to intervene at a time when her people were threatened. Esther and Mordecai were able to save the Jews, but the dire threat made to exterminate them as a people during that time made its mark. Perhaps it was an impetus for Ezra and Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to help the Jews there rebuild the city’s walls and reclaim their spiritual foundations.
Within this story, Vashti often goes unrecognized as a heroine. Yet perhaps that should be acknowledged, particularly within the context of marriage. For while Vashti had been obedient to her husband in all things, there came a point when her moral fiber pulled taut and would not allow her to cross a line that required her to do something she knew was wrong.
In our marriages we need mutual submission and respect, as the apostle Paul wrote (see Ephesians 5:21–33). But we also need personal courage to say no to one another when decency is twisted or when obedience to little things would deny obedience to God’s greater ways.
Wayne Brouwer
Let’s Talk
- What iffy spots of moral behavior have caused disagreement in our marriage?
- Has one of us ever asked the other to do something morally questionable? How do we balance mutual submission to each other with saying no to behavior that compromises our integrity?
- How can we keep our relationship unified so that we avoid situations that cause conflict when our morals differ?
Standing Strong Through the Storm - DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENTS
Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11
It is possible! The persecuted church by example prove to us that it is indeed possible to lose everything...to suffer everything...to endure everything...yet maintain a joyful spirit and heart of love for the Lord.
So often our major shortcoming is simply to doubt that we could go through those experiences and come out of them as refined and triumphant as we have witnessed others in these devotionals. Jesus never promised that our life would be easy—just fulfilling. He never promised that things would be fair—only that He would be just.
Though we might think that life is too hard for these brothers and sisters about whom we’ve been reading, we have been given perhaps an even tougher spiritual assignment. Yet the principles in dealing with it remain the same.
Ruth Graham shared a convicting story about a Christian who had just arrived in a free country from years of persecution. He was appalled at the seeming casual commitment to Jesus and materialistic contamination of these Christians. And he said so. Sometime later he returned to visit the friend to whom he had spoken so bluntly when he first arrived:
He asked if his friend remembered what he had said, the bitterness of his criticism. The friend remembered. The man stood silent for a few moments, reflecting. The friend tensed for a second attack.
“I have come to apologize both for what I said and the way in which I said it,” he said simply. “I was merely afraid. I did not know how dangerous freedom could be. It has been a year now. And I am worse than those I criticized.”
Then he added a significant statement: “It is more difficult to live the Christian life under freedom than under repression.”
Iranian Christian leader Luke Yagnazar lives in the United States. He concludes, “It is more difficult to be a Christian in the USA than in Iran. There you are either a Christian or not!”
Pastor Samuel Lamb in southern China says, “We have physical persecution but you have materialism. Your lot is harder because we know what we are spiritually fighting. Many times you don’t.”
Another Chinese church leader adds, “Once you are chasing after money there is no time and energy for church affairs...And the government knows that materialism will destroy the church faster than persecution can...I tell my co-workers in China that the biggest enemy we’re facing is no longer communism, it’s materialism.”
We must remember it’s a spiritual battle we fight in and we fight with spiritual weapons only.
RESPONSE: Today I resolve to begin the New Year ahead accepting the more difficult assignment and putting God and His kingdom ahead of all others and all else.
PRAYER: Lord, help me accept the more difficult assignment putting You and Your kingdom first.
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