For Such a Time as This

A certain day was appointed on which the Jews were to be destroyed and their property confiscated. Little did the king realize the far-reaching results that would have accompanied the complete carrying out of this decree. Satan himself, the hidden instigator of the scheme, was trying to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God…. The decree of the Medes and Persians could not be revoked; apparently there was no hope; all the Israelites were doomed to destruction.

But the plots of the enemy were defeated by a Power that reigns among the children of men. In the providence of God, Esther, a Jewess who feared the Most High, had been made queen of the Medo-Persian kingdom. Mordecai was a near relative of hers. In their extremity, they decided to appeal to Xerxes in behalf of their people. Esther was to venture into his presence as an intercessor. “Who knoweth,” said Mordecai, “whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

The crisis that Esther faced demanded quick, earnest action; but both she and Mordecai realized that unless God should work mightily in their behalf, their own efforts would be unavailing. So Esther took time for communion with God, the source of her strength. “Go,” she directed Mordecai, “gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me … : I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”40Prophets and Kings, 600, 601.

To every household and every school, to every parent, teacher, and child upon whom has shone the light of the gospel, comes at this crisis the question put to Esther the queen at that momentous crisis in Israel’s history. “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Conflict and Courage p. 244
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Prayer Requests
—–We need special wisdom from God today. Please pray. L
—–update—They are currently giving Buddy his 4th unit of blood. His situation is very precarious. The same problem as before the blood thinners he has to take for the Cardiac Stent seem to continue to precipitate bleeding episodes. They are going to do another scope of upper GI to see if they find the bleed. The cardiac Dr. does not want him off the blood thinners and the GI Dr.s think it is a necessity. Please pray for wisdom and collaboration of the nurses and physicians and that the site of the bleed can be stopped for good. Please add him to your local church prayer list or any others that you are aware of. Remember his Mom too! It is difficult to see your children suffer. Donna
—–Have severe cold and cough for many days now progressing into flu like symptoms. Please pray for a turn around. John
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Dear Friends,

One day, our third grade music teacher announced that in a few months there would be a music festival where all of the grade schools in Kalamazoo would come together in a large auditorium to make one huge choir. From that day, she began to prepare us for the event. Day after day, we learned the songs that we would sing. Day after day, we practiced until we knew the music well.

When it was nearly time for the festival, the superintendent of music for all the schools in Kalamazoo came to our school to practice with us. Each class in my school assembled together to practice the music we had learned. Our class was near the front. The superintendent walked in and was introduced to us. He was an older stocky, man with gray, thinning hair and glasses. He did not look special in any way, but when he began to speak to us, I instantly liked him. He had a way with children. He knew just what to say to keep their interest.

He explained just how he would lead the music on the day of the festival. He told us to watch his hands. He showed us how he would control the different parts of the music just by the way he moved his hands. I was fascinated. I watched him intently as he nodded to the music teacher to begin to play. As all the classes began to sing together, the assembly hall was filled with beautiful music. Each part blended into one perfect whole.

So it is with our spiritual life. We have a Great Superintendent Who desires that we look always to Him. He asks us to keep our eyes on His Nail-Scarred Hands as He leads us through life. If we do, we will become part of the harmonious Kingdom above. He says, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa 45:22

As we intently study our Master’s life, we will see His will for our life. “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again, when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:21-24 Micah tells us, “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8 Paul urges us, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb 12:1,2

Let us follow Jesus with our whole heart, walking as He walked. <1 John 2:6> Let us daily accept our Great Superintendent’s promise, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” Eze 36:26,27 Let us each day “walk in all [God’s] ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all [our] heart and with all [our] soul” is my prayer. Josh 22:5

Rose