Tue 6 Jul, 2010
Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for 7.6.10.
TUESDAY — You were born for this…
Today’s Big Point: Esther desired self-preservation…she ultimately chose self-sacrifice.
READ…What does the Bible say?
Esther 4:10-16 (New Living Translation)
10 Then Esther told Hathach to go back and relay this message to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s officials and even the people in the provinces know that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for me to come to him for thirty days.” 12 So Hathach gave Esther’s message to Mordecai.
13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.”
“Ships are safe in harbor but that’s not what ships are for.”
THINK…Find the answers
What did Esther discover she would be asked to do on behalf of her people?
What does this passage suggest about who is in control of human events?
LIVE…What will you do now?
Esther and Mordecai could have tried to save only themselves, but chose instead to risk their lives in order to save their people. Esther realized that God had placed her as queen for a reason. Paul (the apostle) says ”My determination is to be my utmost for His Highest.” Esther and Mordecai decided to do the same. To get there it requires a surrender of will, and a realization that you were created for His will and purposes. An overwhelming consideration for ourselves is the thing that keeps us from being like Esther, it’s the thing that keeps us from fulfilling God’s purposes for our life. Spend some time reflecting about how you might be considering only yourself when opportunities that require faith and courage arise.
How do you move into self-preservation when it comes to your family, friends, and/or relationship with God?
When you consider what it will cost yourself and others to surrender your will and give your best to God, what costs are you wrestling with, and/or foresee?
We tell God that He does not know what our obedience will mean. Here is the challenge…decide to trust that He does know. Shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for one thing only… to be your utmost for His Highest. Have you determined to be absolutely and entirely for God and for God alone?
If not, what is keeping you from doing so?
PRAY…God, What do You want me to know & do?
Confess to God your concerns about surrendering your will. Ask Him to help you to trust Him and to reveal to you His purposes for your life. If you are ready, tell God that you desire to be your utmost for Him.
DAILY BIBLE READING COMMENTARY: Luke 6
Luke 6:14 “Bartholomew is probably Nathanael of John 1:45” (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary 1261).
Luke 6:15 “Matthew is Levi of 5:27-32 (Mark 2:14-17)” Nelson’s 1261).
Luke 6:16 “Judas the son of James is probably Thaddaeus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18). This is not the Lord’s half brother” (Nelson’s 1261).
Luke 6:46-49 Jesus is telling us that if we truly have Him as our Lord then our words and actions will be in line with what He teaches us to do. It is crucial for every Christ-follower to daily examine his or her life (thoughts, words, actions, etc.). If a part of your life is not set apart in submission to Christ then you need to repent of that and offer that part of your life to Christ. You will most likely need to offer it to Christ day after day because your flesh and Satan, your enemy, will not want to give it up to Christ. While crucifying all parts of your life may sting, the great news is that Jesus will resurrect your life to a fullness not available from the world and what it has to offer. Build your whole life on the foundation of Jesus and your spirit will flourish. Stand strong and produce abundant “fruit” that will not only nourish, you but it will nourish those around you.
