Not being shy about our faith

Scripture Read: Esther 4:1 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly.

Application: This passage should cause us to step back and reflect on several issues concerning our walk with the Lord. I realize that those of us that live in countries where the citizens have rights can vote and even run for office there is a balance that must be maintained between our faith and our actions. Each believer must come to their own conviction of how involved they become in the affairs of this world. Trying to compare what we should do in our present world based on the previous governments in the scriptures is not realistic. 

Monarchies did not give the believer the same stewardship that we have if we live in a society where freedom, democracy and citizenship responsibilities exist. That having been said, this passage still speaks volumes concerning certain universal truths that we need to deal with. Mordecai turned FIRST to who he knew. Why? He had connections to the King through Esther. He could even try to bring to the King’s remembrance about his part in saving the King’s life. No, not him, he set the example that we should all follow. He turned to God. Tearing his clothes, putting on sackcloth and ashes was a very clear statement to God about the situation. This is what we need to do Lord – come first to You. You may lead us to some human help – but is our confidence in them or You? Too many in the Body today turn to political answers first. That exposes where our faith is. It takes real faith to turn to You first instead of grabbing control of the situation and trying to intimidate, compensate or communicate an answer to the situation. As I said, there is a balance; You may lead us to a government person, or a judicial solution, but our confidence should be in You first and only. We also need to see that Mordecai was not private about his statement of faith. Everyone that saw him knew he was turning to You in sorrow. Far too many times we do not share with others because we are afraid of what will happen. Will they think we are silly? Maybe what we desire is not Your will, when the solution comes out different, we are embarrassed – like we have to apologize for You. Lord, this keeps us children in our faith. We need to stand as adults in front of the world and help them see that believing in You does not mean You are not God. So many think that because we are Your children we now call the shots – some even teach that! How tragic. We need to come to You first and believe that You will do what You deem best – we have the privilege of sharing our desire in the matter – but as adults we understand that we do not see what You see or think like You think. True faith is believing in You even when we don’t get what we want or when Your answer is something we cannot understand. Dad, help us to turn to You first!

Meditation Questions: When you face a mountain that seems so big you could never conquer it, what do you do? What does the word impossible mean to you? When you have to trust the Lord, do you make sure no one else knows it? What does that show? How can we help our friends see how God works in our life?