30 August 2009

It Was Esther’s Time

(Kent Heaton)

The story of Esther is filled with daring courage, humble dependence upon God and a view toward the providence of the place we all find ourselves throughout our lives. This Jewish maiden rose to become Queen of ancient Persia when Ahasuerus became displeased with Vashti (see Esther 1). Through Haman’s conspiracy against the Jewish people Esther would save her people from certain death. Haman was one of the rulers under Ahasuerus that despised the uncle of Esther, Mordecai. Because of his intense hatred of Mordecai (Esther 3:1-5) Haman planned to “destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus” (Esther 3:6).

A decree was made through the treachery of Haman that Ahasuerus would allow the extermination of a “certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces” (Esther 3:8) of the kingdom - referring to the Jews held captive in the land. Mordecai learned of the plot and pled with Esther to intercede for the Jewish people to the king. However, going before the king was not an easy task. It was, in fact, a very dangerous thing to do. Esther explained, “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days" (Esther 4:11). So they told Mordecai Esther's words.

The key message of the book of Esther comes in the answer Mordecai gives to Esther. "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. 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?" (Esther 4:13-14) Esther would go before the king trusting in God and be delivered from death and save her people (Esther 5-8).

How often in scripture do we find individuals in a particular place at a particular time and the work of God needing that person to act? Joseph came to understand his role in saving his people though he had been sold into slavery (Genesis 50:20). Moses was not ready to lead the people at the age of 40 but after spending time in Midian was brought back to Egypt to guide the people to Canaan (Exodus 3). The maiden of Israel was in the house of Naaman and told her mistress of the prophet who could heal the leprosy (2 Kings 5). The Spirit would guide Philip to the treasurer of Ethiopia and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing – no doubt telling others of Jesus (Acts 8:26-40)

We have innumerable opportunities to influence people for good and to share the gospel of salvation. How often we squander golden moments to be in a particular place at a particular time to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 6:13) or a light set on a hill (Matthew 6:14-16). What we learn from Esther is that we all have those moments time and time again where we have come to such an opportunity - “for such a time as this.”

We should always be looking for those times that we can say a kind word, extend a hand of friendship, lift a burden, begin a Bible study, comfort a broken heart; a myriad of little pieces of life that will impact others. It takes just a moment to create a lifetime of worth and to set the path of life more clearly for someone “for such a time as this.”

Watch Out, Mom And Dad

(Jill Vondenstein)

In case you haven’t heard, kindergarten isn’t what it used to be. Watch out, mom and dad, because if you don’t start teaching early, your child will be behind before he starts. Be sure you cover the basics – ABC’s, counting, colors, shapes, and maybe a second or third language – before pre-K. Such is the hype surrounding early education. As much as most parents agree that the expectations are a little aggressive, we all fold and work to make sure Johnny is on schedule. After all, who wants his/her child to fall behind?

More importantly, what about your children’s spiritual education? Are they falling behind? Watch out, mom and dad, because if you aren’t diligent, they probably won’t make the grade. Any teacher can tell you that the success of a student is closely tied to the involvement of his parents. Bible class is no different. There is a noticeable difference between a child who is always in class and the one whose attendance is unreliable. There is even a difference in the child who consistently late. Bible class is only 45 minutes long. Bring them 10 minutes late and the teacher has a choice to make: “Should I keep going and hope they didn’t miss too much or do I start over and hope we have time to finish the lesson?” If they aren’t in class, they are missing out. Do you discuss what they learned in class? Do you help them prepare their homework? Do you every ask the teacher how they are doing? The problem isn’t that parents don’t understand that these concepts apply to secular school and Bible class. The problem is mom and dad’s priorities.

Watch out, mom and dad, if you expect Bible class teachers to get your children to Heaven; you will regret it and so will they. Ninety minutes of Bible class each week is not enough. We would never dream of limiting secular education to ninety minutes per week, so why is that good enough for God’s Word? Dad, how much time do you spend teaching your children each week? I say “dad” because God has charged fathers with this responsibility (Ephesians 6:4).

A certain amount of teaching falls to mothers simply because we tend to have more opportunities. But fathers, do you expect, support, and encourage your wife to teach your children while you are away from home? Do you actively discuss your children’s spiritual education with your wife? If you don’t, you leaven an awesome and often intimidating task to your wife. She needs your help and your children need you to help her.

Watch out, mom and dad, if your child knows everything about his favorite TV characters, but can hardly describe anything about Bible characters. You see, even young children can learn about the Bible. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can wait until your children are older to start teaching. If your daughter knows Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty then she is capable of knowing Queen Esther and Deborah the judge.

If you son knows Superman’s fatal weakness, he can remember Samson’s too. It’s actually quite easy to teach when they are young. Get a good children’s Bible storybook and read it at bedtime. Replace the Care Bear coloring book with one that depicts Bible characters. Ask other parents how they are teaching their children. Share ideas and help each other; after all, we are all trying to accomplish the same goal: a generation that knows God (Judges 2:10).

Watch out, mom and dad, if you don’t invest the time to teach while they are malleable you will lose them to Satan as their hearts harden to sin. The tragic reality is that many faithful parents produce unfaithful children. Without a solid foundation, our children will fall away when they go out into the world. The Psalmist warns, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1). There is no education more important or a material blessing of more value than teaching the first principles and the stories of God’s Word.

After giving the law to the children of Israel Moses commanded them, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Does this describe your home? Be honest with yourself, your spouse, and your children. We all have areas of our life that need improvement. If these instructions sound very different from what is happening at your house then make the changes necessary to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Applauding the Practice

(Joe Fitch)

Long ago at the Olympic Games in Athens, it is said a feeble old man came in late. No seats were left. As he passed their seats, the Athenians laughed at him. Then he passed two Spartans. Quickly they rose to offer him a seat, for they had been trained to be modest and courteous. When the Athenians saw this, they cheered the Spartans. “Ah,” said the old man, “The Athenians admire what is right; the Spartans practice it.”

A godly man died suddenly. People were shocked — stunned by the unexpected. Brethren in Christ felt keenly the loss of a dependable worker and companion. Men of all classes and persuasions gathered in small groups to sadly shake their heads, recall the past, and applaud a good man. “He was sure a hard worker; he always tried to do more than was expected.” That was true. He exemplified Paul’s admonition: “Let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28).

It was not the statement that was amazing but who said it — a lazy fellow who did nothing he could get out of. Another added, “He was surely honest — as honest as the day is long.” A thought flashes to mind: “Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17). No one disagreed, but these words of praise fell from lips skilled in lies wherever a dollar is at stake.

The applause continues: “He was a church going man. Surely if there was ever a Christian, he was one.” Heads nod agreement, but neither they nor the speaker are accustomed to filling a pew when people gather to worship, They are more in the habit of walking roughshod over the principles of Christianity than in keeping them.

A preacher spoke to mourners of his dead friend and the Bible he lived by. “What a beautiful eulogy.” Yet many who were impressed by the words spoken refuse to live so that such can honestly be said of them. When the applause subsides, an observer is compelled to add a final word — “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37). No greater tribute can be paid a good man than to imitate his devotion to good. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).

I can’t help thinking as a result of listening and observing: Many people pay little attention in life to the things that are so important when it comes time to die. We are so prone to compliment others for the very virtues which we carefully avoid cultivating in ourselves. A godly man commands the admiration of all — even the vile and irreligious. There are far more people willing to applaud a good life than are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to live one. Some folk are content with the office of spectator — applauding good but not practicing it.