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To: Cincinnatus.45-70
Having spent over a week grappling with the Book of Esther while illustrating it, your comment "inspired" me to outline just how it inspires me. First, I define inspiration in this instance as the Holy Spirit's encouragement toward greater faith. Once we have saving faith from Him, He fans it higher and deeper and hotter. How does He do that here?

Through Mordecai: He respects lawful authority by reporting the conspirators. He acknowledges God's providence. (I cannot help imagining how vividly Mordecai must have recognized his own unique involvement in the unfolding of God's scenario, very much what other giants like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Daniel and Jonah (!) must have felt during and amidst their exploits--not omitting Jesus' well-chronicled self-awareness.) Indeed, he recognizes Esther's unique position and strongly urges her cooperation with God's plan, regardless of personal consequence.

Through Esther: She realizes her crown and personal advantages confer no power except what God prompts through the king. Yet, she conforms to Mordecai's vision and sacrifices her personal safety. She calls out Haman's evil. Her story was already extraordinary enough just in her meteoric rise to royalty, but God had a still-bigger plan, one for all time.

Through the Spirit: God is never mentioned, but He pervades every line. Now that He pervades my life, what story is He fashioning through my relations with the government, relatives, spouse, coworkers, neighbors, community and enemies?

15 posted on 07/21/2022 9:08:00 AM PDT by Hebrews 11:6 ("This is Thy pleasure, that Thou art my joy")
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To: Hebrews 11:6

Thank you very much Dan; a good reminder indeed.
Loved what you wrote here, that you remind us how God, thru the Holy Spirit works in our lives, if we will give Him room to do so.
This courage and faith is inspiring!!


17 posted on 07/21/2022 2:42:41 PM PDT by InkStone (Omni Vivum Ex Surfboard)
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To: Hebrews 11:6

Amen. Inspired commentary!


19 posted on 07/21/2022 5:36:33 PM PDT by Cincinnatus.45-70 (What do DemocRats enjoy more than a truckload of dead babies? Unloading them with a pitchfork!)
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