Trusting Circumstances. NOT!

Scripture Read: Esther 10:1-3 Now King Ahasuerus laid a tribute on the land and on the coastlands of the sea. ² And all the accomplishments of his authority and strength, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia? ³ For Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation.

Application: This last, though very short chapter shows an important lesson that is repeated consistently throughout scripture. God controls everything, and everything happens within His timing. That does not mean He makes all things happen. This is about His Sovereignty. Though things change for us, God does not nor do His decrees. The King becomes heavy handed with the people (though this was common among the monarchies.) Notice though, the King has not changed what he decreed for the Jews or Mordecai. You were behind that Lord! Mordecai was now the second highest-ranking person in the Kingdom! Too many of us become focused on the circumstances we are in and depend on what we see to secure our safety, position or well-being. Mordecai kept his eyes focused on You Lord and You sustained Him. 

The lesson I see the Scripture teaches here, is to depend wholly on You Lord and You will be the One that secures us a future and a hope. If we refuse to see our individual situation as controlled by outward circumstances and hold our faith in You, even if we do not see You Lord, instead believe our situation is completely under Your control no matter what is happening all around us and trust You, we will see You move in a mighty way as You did with Mordecai. The Scriptures are replete with examples of this truth! Noah, Abraham, Lot, Joseph, even stubborn Jonah was protected by You when he deserved punishment. If we know from Your Word we will experience Your grace and mercy, even when we are resistant to Your direction, how much more should we be a peace in the midst of any storm when we know we are submitted fully to Your guidance? Our environment may become hostile and circumstances around us may be disastrous, but like Mordecai, if we are faithful to You we will be sustained and even raised up by You. Father, this is such an important lesson! Keep our eyes on You, not the circumstances of our life.

Meditation Questions: Do you have to see God to trust Him? What does that say? So many teach signs today – is that what scripture encourages us to walk by? Sight? God’s methods change, so when we say He does not change what do we mean? Why is it important that we can count on God? Has He ever let you down? If No, what does that say? If yes, how? Have you talked to Him about that? Do you think He is open to that?