Esther; For Such A Time As This Chp 3

Esther; For Such A Time As This  Chp 3
Carri Lynne Pratt

"Haman sought to destory all the Jews,

the people of Mordecai, 

 throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus."

Esther 3:6

Have you considered there may be someone trying to halt your spiritual progress? You know there is something God wants you to do, but perhaps there is someone standing in the way or even worse, they may be planning for your downfall.

This week read Esther Chapter 3  Haman Plots Against the Jews

Listen here:  Chapter 3 Audio

Do not be naïve, there are spiritual forces at work in this world and they are constantly fighting over the people of God.  Haman was affected by evil spiritual influences, including jealousy and rage, and began planning for the demise of an entire race of people!

In his book, Angels, Billy Graham wrote the following:

“God’s forces of good and Satan’s forces of evil have been engaged in a deadly conflict from the dawn of our history . . . We live in a perpetual battlefield – the Great War of the Ages continues to rage. . . Where the Lord works, Satan’s forces hinder; where angel beings carry out their divine directives, the devils rage. All this comes about because the powers of darkness press their counterattack to recapture the ground held for the glory of God.”  

Haman was disgusted by the Jewish people of his day. Do you think there are people in our world that would also like to destroy the Jews in modern times? How about those who seek to ridicule and destroy the Christians? How about you? Is there anyone who would like to see your downfall? Maybe out of jealousy or maybe because of a certain political or religious view you hold.

Of course the answer is YES! Our world is full of both good and evil human beings, we see them in the news everyday. And a good person may do an evil act. Some people may actually argue that it is merely a matter of the way you look at a situation as to whether it is good or evil. This is not the way God looks at it. He is very clear about what is Good and what is Evil.

"For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." John 3:20

 

Our Spiritual Discipline for this week is: 

Be Ready: Put On The Whole Armor of God 

We must be ready when confronted with evil. God shows us how to be ready in Paul's famous passage - Ephesians 6:10-20:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore:

Having fastened on the belt of truth,

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

and take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me (Paul), that my words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the Gospel."

Self Reflection:  Are You Ready?  Do you have your Spiritual Armor on so you can withstand the devil's schemes? Are you saved? If you are not certain of your salvation, if you can not look to a time in your life that you made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, than you need to do that today.  Find Peace with God