Why Purim?

Lately not just personally but globally events seem out of hand, troubles that we cannot control. So, what should we do? The 1^st thing I do, is run to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and there I am reminded that GOD works all things for an end result of good to those who will call on the name of the LORD (Romans 8:28+ 1 Corinthians 1:2).

On Monday and Tuesday, March 6-7, Jews around the world will celebrate Purim. This holiday is a memorial of GOD’s deliverance of the Jews from annihilation.  Although the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s name never appears in the little book of Esther, we see the LORD GOD sovereignly at working behind the scenes to control the outcome.

The queen refused to come when the king called her to come show herself to his guests. The king became enraged, and his advisors suggested that he dispose the queen for her actions. They said that if her actions were allowed, since they were done before many guests, women everywhere would despise their husbands.  The king quite drunk agreed, and she was permanently removed from being queen.

Later, the king missed his queen, his advisors suggested a beauty contest to select a new queen and the king thought it was a great idea.  So, messengers were sent throughout the 127 providences of his kingdom from India even unto Ethiopia, to gather the most beautiful young girls to be brought into his harem and considered for the title of queen. The one the king favored would become queen.

Meanwhile a proud man in a high position of the kingdom, an antisemitic, Haman by name, had conceived plans to kill all the Jews throughout the vast kingdom ruled by the king just because one Jew refused to bow before him.

Purim is an annual reminder and celebration of GOD’s omniscience (GOD knows all things, past, present and future) and HIS love and provision for HIS people the Jews.

Even before Haman and his plot, GOD knew it was coming for HE knows our thoughts before we think them. The LORD set the stage and nudged/whispered suggestions for people to act in certain ways. So, by the time this villain had gotten the king to sign off on his scheme, GOD had already provided for the rescue of the Jews by giving a beautiful young Jewish girl named Esther great favor and she was selected as queen.

Upon learning of the plot, Esther knew she had a life-threatening choice to make. To go before the king without being called would mean instant death, unless the king held out his scepter to her.  Before going into his presence, Esther insisted all the Jews fast for 3 days for her. (Fasting is a form of humbling yourself before GOD, a form of prayer).

After the 3 days she was strengthen and stated, “If I perish, I perish,” and dressing in her royal robes she humbly went before the king and he held out his scepter to her.  Through her intercessory work the plan to destroy the Jews was thwarted and much more.  For the Jews gained great honor throughout the kingdom of 127 providences.

Other episodes within this short book, including the king not being able to sleep, show how GOD secretly put things in place, synchronizing them, and setting the stage so the people’s personal choices would accomplish HIS will.  If you have not yet read this short book, you are missing out.

Whatever you are facing today, GOD has known about it from eternity past. Just like with Esther, when we trust in the LORD with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5-7), HE will carry us through all the trials that come against us in this life until the day HE calls us up and we see HIM face to face.

Take a moment today to thank GOD for HIS unending love and provision for you.

Hugs

Sharon

Camping and GOD

A dear friend told me she and hubby were heading out for a week in the mountains with her daughter and family and for a moment I envied her.  It’s been so long since I’ve been to my favorite place (anywhere in the mountains with pine trees) let alone go camping. 

But then I remembered how due to her husband’s nearly non-existent immune system, they were stuck home alone, couldn’t even go for groceries or have her kids over for months on end during the pandemic. So instead of pouting I began rejoicing as I saw the lovingkindness and justice of our eternal GOD.

The prefix omni is often placed before the attributes of GOD because it means all and unlimited. Being GOD is the source of all things that adjective belongs uniquely to HIM.

Now every thing true about GOD, all of HIS divine nature, compliments each of the other things true about GOD.

GOD is amazing and there is so much that can be said and so much more that we do not have a clue about our Creator-the source of all things.  Today, my heart is especially standing in AWE at the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s power and knowledge as it ties in with HIS justice and lovingkindness. 

In religious circles GOD’s power and knowledge are called omnipotence and omniscience.  They are a mighty combination and speak of the unlimited power of GOD over all and HIS unlimited knowledge of past, present and future events. Combine that with HIS unlimited love and justice you can see all at play in my friend’s week’s trip to the mountains. 

In the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s unlimited knowledge and power HE has synchronized events to display HIS love for HIS children and the justice of blessing them for their looking to HIM and endurance during the pandemic.

That speaks volumes to me and encourages me right now concerning the multiple crisis situations facing dear ones.  There is an awesome principle written in the word of GOD.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called (who call on the name of the LORD 1 Corinthians 1:2) according to HIS purpose.  For whom HE did foreknow (would believe in JESUS), HE also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of HIS Son (JESUS), that HE (JESUS) might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:28-29).

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of GOD.  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment {in comparison}, works {achieves} for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” {that far surpasses the pain of today} (2 Corinthians 4:15-17).

So, I can rest confident that GOD knows what HE is doing. HE says I will be comforted when I see the reason for all HE has allowed.

“and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem {them}, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. And they {those you love and see in crisis} shall comfort you, when you see their ways and their doings: and you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done ..says the LORD GOD (Ezekiel 14:22b-23). 

Rejoicing in hope and exalting in the ONE who has preset the exact times and places according to HIS purposes which are good! (Acts 17:26-27, Ephesians 1:11).

Hugs

Sharon