Last week we brought the Hello Mornings study, “Then I Will Go”, to a close.
We began the week with Esther 9:11-15, where we found Esther being bold as she responded to the king. He wants to know what more she would like and she lets him know. Without hesitating.
The reading brought to mind my grandmother and these Scriptures:
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.†Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.†(James 4:13-15, NASB)
I admit, I probably don’t pray as boldly as I should. In growing up, I heard my grandmother pray many a time. Even when she prayed alone, she prayed aloud, so I still heard her prayer. The one thing her prayers impressed upon me was she always said, “if it be Your will” in making her requests known to God.
Reading in Esther today, I was reminded of my grandmother’s words. I want to pray in Jesus Name, and also pray that the response be according to His will.
Today’s Scriptures have made me realize to pray with humility, willing to submit to the Lord’s will.
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Mid week found us in Esther 9:23-28. I read it in several versions and the message stayed the same – the Jews celebrated their victory over Haman and his men.
We do remember marked victories or achievements in our lives – graduations, first days of a new job, weddings, last day of chemo, day we moved into a new house or apartment, first day of school, day we passed our driving road test, birth of our children …
The study suggested reading Psalm 16 and verses 5-6 have long impacted me. I can remember the first time that verse truly hit me with a visual. It was when we bought our home. The day we moved in, I walked the boundary to pray and the verse came to mind. Having never owned before, it was the first time the word “lot”, in seeing our plot plan, had ever applied to me.
A lot has boundaries, a beginning and an end. Inside those boundaries is God’s chosen plan for our lives.
God supports our lot in life. He blesses, and instructs us, and causes us to live in security. Even when all around us is uncertain or in chaos, we can know we are securely held.
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (Psalm 16:11, NASB)
When Haman’s plan looked like a sure thing, Esther had no idea of the joy which God had in store for His people.
May we come to trust Him more and more!
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We brought the study to a close with Esther 10, a reading of three verses.
Here we find that all the accomplishments which occurred, because of Mordecai’s actions, were recorded by the King.
Mordecai became second in command to the king. Imagine – from being unrecognized and unimportant and sitting at the gate, he now is in a prominent position of recognition and authority.
Scripture tells us Mordecai was recognized as “one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation” (verse 3, NASB).
Those words stopped me in my reading. Like a light went on –
Do I seek the good of my people?
Do I speak up for the welfare of others?
We all have some form of authority, whether we realize it or not. There are people God has place in our care. How are we using our position for their good?
The cross reference in my Bible led me to Psalm 122:8-9: “For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.†For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good” (NASB).
May this be our prayer today and in the days ahead – to be people who speak peace over our families and friends. To be people who seek the good of others always.
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In praying “as the Lord wills”
He makes known the path of life,
and positions us for the good of others.
Photo 1: by Mina Stankovic on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Wolfgang Kuhnle on Unsplash
Sure is a great point! So often we pray as if we were the one who’s sovereign!
Lately I have been recalling the humility of my grandmother and it is bringing many lessons.
As time has passed I have realized that maybe what I want is not always what is best, so I have been saying according to his will more often. It helps me be more open to something different. So many ways to pray. Boldly and with power and according to his will. how precious that you heard your grandmother pray aloud. What a legacy.
Theresa, I have been thinking about my grandmother quite a bit lately. Amazing how her life continues to be an example of deep and humble faith.
Recently, I did a short Bible study based on Craig Groeschel’s new book, Dangerous Prayers, and he talked about the life-changing power of praying those bold, courageous prayers. I’ve been asking God to give me the courage when I feel afraid for what’s ahead as I step out in faith and pray those dangerous prayers. Thank you for a wonderful post.