Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living From Esther
Scripture: Esther 9:26-28
Just a Reminder
Esther 9:26-28
"So they called these days Purim, after the name Pur. Therefore, because of all the words of this letter, what they had seen concerning this matter, and what had happened to them, the Jews established and imposed it upon themselves and their descendants and all who would join them, that without fail they should celebrate these two days every year, according to the written instructions and according to the prescribed time, . . . that the memory of them should not perish among their descendants."
Just a Reminder
Do you know what these words have in common: Tishri, Kislev, Nisan, Sivan and Ab? They are months in the Jewish calendar. For the devout Jew, the calendar is more than a way of marking time--it provides a convenient method of recalling God's dealings in their life. Nisan marks Passover, the time of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Sivan brings the Feast of Pentecost, the celebration of a bountiful harvest from God. Tishri reminds the people of their wilderness wanderings through the Feast of the Tabernacles. Each holiday becomes a holy day, a time of recalling, repenting and renewing old commitments to follow the God of Israel.
During the days of Esther, yet another special time of remembrance was added to the Jewish calendar. Each year, on the 14th and 15th day of the month of Adar, the people celebrate God's victory over evil Haman's attempt to exterminate the Jews. It is called the Feast of Purim.
As Christians we have our own special times of remembrance. At Christmas we remember Christ's birth, and on Easter we remember His death and resurrection. More frequently, we celebrate together the memory of His sacrifice at Calvary. We call it the Lord's Supper or Communion.
It's good to take advantage of every opportunity you have to remember what God has done for you. Enjoy Christmas, Easter, Sunday and every Lord's Supper celebration. Be sensitive to the spiritual truths behind these occasions. None of us have such good memories that we don't need reminders.
When God does it, we do more than remember it--we celebrate it.
Author: Woodrow Kroll
Source: Lessons on Living From Esther
Scripture: Esther 10:3
Dedicated to Service
Esther 10:3
"For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his kindred."
Dedicated to Service
John Brodie, former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, was once asked why a million-dollar player such as he should have to hold the ball for field goals and extra-points attempts. "Well," said Brodie, "if I didn't, it would fall over." There is something appealing about this kind of humility in service. We see in it a reflection of true greatness.
Mordecai had this kind of appeal as well. He became great among his people, but not because he held a position second only to the king. He was well received by the multitude, but not because he was rich or related to the queen. Mordecai's true greatness came because he had a heart dedicated to service. The wicked Haman had used his office to promote himself; Mordecai used his position to bring good to his people.
Throughout history, greatness has been associated with unselfish service. When H. M. Stanley went to Africa in 1871 to find David Livingstone, he found Livingstone engaged in untiring service for those whom he had no reason to love except for Christ's sake. Stanley wrote in his journal, "When I saw that unwearied patience, that unflagging zeal and those enlightened sons of Africa, I became a Christian at his side, though he never spoke to me one word."
While the world may never classify you as a John Brodie the quarterback, a Mordecai the Jew or a David Livingstone the missionary, you can still be great with God. Find the place He would have you serve, and serve Him until you die.
It's not important how many people you lead, but how many you serve.