Summary of the preaching
Friday, October 20, 2023 – Apostle Billey.
Esther 4.12-17
12 So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.
13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.
14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai:
16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.
The people of Israel were in captivity because they had not followed the way of the Lord God.
What’s more, they didn’t speak the local language. They were idle, unstable.
The king had a wife, Vashti, who began to misbehave in relation to the king’s recommendations. So it was put aside.
They set about finding the king a new wife. An announcement was therefore made.
Esther was therefore encouraged to apply and was finally chosen as the queen.
And so she became the new queen, replacing Vashti.
Meanwhile, there was a decree to exterminate all Jews. And they were in fear.
Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, having heard of this, sent people to warn Esther.
At first, Esther didn’t think she had the strength to do anything about it.
But Mordecai insisted.
13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.
14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
In God’s agenda, his wisdom, his foreknowledge, his management, he positions all his children for a purpose. So that everyone can do something at some point.
God uses each of His children for something related to His agenda – His plan being prepared well in advance.
Our God has not changed. So our generation needs to understand this, in order to better let itself be led by Him.
And so allow the Lord to increase our capacity, to show his power, his presence in our lives.
Israel was in a foreign land, just as we are foreign to this world.
We are in a world filled with idolatry – ignoring God its creator.
What a world, neighborhood… Strange!
All this is similar to Babylon.
But even in this strange world, God must be glorified. For the world he created was not strange. Unfortunately, the devil has positioned people to make this world strange.
So God must use each one of us to show his light, his presence, his truth, to reveal who he is.
Beloved, you are not where you are for no reason.
The country, the neighborhood, the job, the family, …where you are, it all has something to do with it.
This was pre-ordained by God.
We must let go of every cloak of fear, cloak of inability, cloak of pride…All of it must be thrown off.
Esther therefore decreed a 3-day fast. And after the 3rd day, she met the king.
The king’s heart was in favor of Esther’s visit.
** Who allowed this? It’s God.
The eyes of the Lord are upon the good and the wicked alike.
God was with the king-and God needed one of his children to speak to the king. While God himself was convincing the king.
That’s how God works.
Beloved, you are an instrument!
And so the situation was reversed in favor of the Jews.
The man at the head of the plot was exterminated, and in the end the Jewish people were saved. And a law to protect them has been published.
** Yet at first, when Esther was taken captive – one might have thought she was abandoned by the Lord.
We need to know that God goes through the hard times to create what is good.
God can go through all kinds of torments to bring out what’s right.
That’s why He fears nothing – that’s why we call Him God.
That’s why He asked us to praise Him in our time of need.
We may think that nothing is going right, but for God everything is in His plan.
That’s why God positions each –
And in the position we’re in, God doesn’t want us to be lamenting, complaining, bitter, frustrated…
By constantly accusing him: “Look what’s happening to me, my situation isn’t changing, it’s been a long time, I’m in need, I’m not married, I’m not working ….”
That kind of complaining will never help God.
**What should we do?
In all these things, we must glorify God.
Let’s remember the story of the man born blind in John 9. Jesus’ disciples wondered about his situation.
John 9
2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
** But how was this blind man viewed by those around him?
They called him blind, poor, a beggar, he couldn’t get married, couldn’t get dressed without help, couldn’t support himself….
He was deprived of many things, but yet it was all for the glory of God!
That’s why we must learn to submit to God – we mustn’t fight against Him, but learn to have a child’s heart and live in the spirit of a child of the Father.
And all this will enable us to make rapid progress with the Lord.
It’s a trap to look at what we don’t yet have with human eyes.
We must always look to God, for in Him we have everything. And it’s serious!
So when we perceive God, we will see that we are blessed in Him. And the enemy won’t be able to bother us.
Eph1.3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
We may have problems, but this should not cause us to collapse in tears, discouragement, anger against the Lord, stop praising/praying God…
We must have the character of those who know God and walk with Him.
So all the knowledge we have – we must put at the Lord’s disposal.
Esther, while in captivity, was used by God, everything she was and had served the Lord’s plan: her virginity, her beauty, her talents…
So also your talents, gifts, abilities, diplomas, knowledge, experience, relationships, prayer life, spiritual gifts, wisdom… must be put at the service of the Lord.
It’s all about elevating God through everything he’s put inside you.
** In Daniel’s case, it was the same as Esther’s.
He was in a foreign land, but he knew God was with him. He was aware that he was the light that should shine in the darkness.
He took his work as an opportunity and every time God lifted him into a position, he enlightened everyone around him.
He talked about God and never compromised himself.
By his attitude, people saw that he was different, so some sought to persecute him, and have him killed. However, no plot or conspiracy has reached him. Nothing worked.
Those who had plotted against him to have him thrown into the lion’s den, but instead his enemies were themselves eaten by the lions.
All this was so, because God was in him.
Daniel 6
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end.27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Beloved, God is in you. Don’t put your light under the table.
God is glorified when there are problems, when there is peace; a need; painful situations…
God glorifies himself in all these things, for he is a God of glory.
When a difficult situation arises, it doesn’t mean it’s the end.
But that means God wants to do something big.
Ps 27.1-4
Rom 8.31-39
Ps 3.2-9
Don’t be afraid – God must glory. You have to know that your God is with you – he’ll do it.
In difficult times, you have to learn to be strong – that’s the best school.
But if you collapse, it’ll become a bad habit.
You have received the spirit of strength, not fear.
Arise and enter into God’s will with persistence and perseverance. You are one with God.
LET US PRAY →
Lord Jesus help me to sanctify my soul
I am victorious in all things.
Lord Jesus, you are in me
You are my salvation.
You are the strength of my life.
May all spirit of fear – of inferiority complex, be destroyed.
I succeed in the name of Jesus.
I am strong – I am blessed.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.