Here for a Reason

Sharing a recent article with you that alludes to the Book of Esther. You know how it is when we've had something on our mind for awhile--our antenna is more sensitively tuned to it. Andre Seu Peterson reminds us that in God's providence, He placed us here in the 21st century. She goes on to suggest a couple of things for us to consider as we move into the new year.

Her first suggestion reflected our own church youth group, for which we are grateful. Our youth pastor is one who seriously trains our students. And he refers to them as 'students' and not as 'teens.' We don't have a teen subculture in our church. They are trained and they minister, not only in our church and in our city, but across the country and across the sea. And from what I can tell, they have a lot of fun doing it. It's the kind of environment we would have loved for our daughters to have had growing up.

Andre's second suggestion regards personal piety--"no more sloppy Christianity," for the days are evil. I would also add to her suggestions--Be intentional about being conformed to the image of Christ. It doesn't just happen, but it's what we're here for.

For those whom He foreknew, 

He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.

Romans 8:29

 
Click here to read  "Here for a Reason" by Andre Seu Peterson

Image via pixabay

Longing for Reversal

Continuing my study in the book of Esther and its literary theme of reversal. It's where we see most powerfully the hand of God as He reverses the consequences of the actions of the ungodly powerful people who want to destroy His own people in the Persian Empire. The providence of God can change things in a moment and alter the outcome. Most often we recognize it only in hindsight.

More often, we long to see it.

I long to see God reverse the actions of the ungodly powerful people in our own nation today who want to destroy any influence or impact those who have faith in Him might exercise. Something that began as good is being taken by the ungodly powerful and used in an attempt to annihilate godly imprint. As I see it, the MeToo effect is turning into a social colossus by the Enemy of all things good.

I long for and pray for reversal to this trial by public sentiment.

Painting ~ Her Eyes Are With Her Thoughts, Lawrence Alma-Tadema 1897

public domain, WikiArt

Inconspicuous Providence

This is the book that I've chosen to use for our study of the book of Esther in our women's Sunday School class this quarter. I've read several books in preparation for teaching the class, and Inconspicuous Providence by Bryan Gregory rose to the top of the stack as the one to use as a supplement to our group study.

While many see the Bible book of Esther as being about Esther, it's really about the providence of God and how He saves the Jews from annihilation through seeming "coincidences." In addition to commentary and application of the chapters in Esther, Gregory discusses the literary techniques used by the author (who is unknown) and gives a broad overview of its historical context. Both of these aspects are necessary for an understanding of the message of the book of Esther. There are also reflection questions at the end of each chapter to further develop personal application.

The book is written on the lay level, and it's not filled with fluff. Gregory refers to scholarly research which gets us beyond the typical beautiful heroine approach to the book of Esther. Gregory has eleven pages of bibliography that those who want to go deeper and broader will find as a gold mine.

From the back of the book:
Bryan Gregory shows us how Esther's literary techniques depict God's "absent presence" and "hidden involvement," encouraging us that while God appears uninvolved, he is at work under the surface to accomplish his purposes and deliver his people--ultimately revealing his hidden presence in Christ.

Even When I Can't See His Hand

We've been discussing in our Sunday School class how to read the Bible in its historical context and how we are to relate to it in our present setting. We were asked today about some of our favorite Old Testament narratives and why we are drawn to them.

One of mine is the book of Esther that I'm currently studying. It's a reminder that God works out his purposes and promises even when we might not see his hand or we think he is afar off. I'm still learning that even when I can't see his hand, to trust his heart.

Sharing a thought with you today from my reading as I continue my study.

Even though we cannot see God acting, it does not follow that he is not doing anything. God's work is not all slam-bang action; sometimes it is a quiet faithfulness to his promises in the seemingly ordinary providences of life, bringing about in the hearts of his people what he has purposed.

~ Iain Duguid, in Esther & Ruth Reformed Expository Commentary

Image ~ Reading

Ivan Kramskoy 1837-1887

public domain via Wikimedia Commons

A Thought on Providence

If providence had alike prospered every man's designs, and set them upon a level, there had been no occasion to exercise the rich man's charity, or the poor man's patience.

~ John Flavel, in None But Jesus

Painting ~ The Gleaners, 1854, Jules Breton 1827-1906