He Will Reign and We Will Win!

Daily Reading: Esther 8

And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. (Esther 8:2)

Devotional Thought: Even though the king received Esther’s unsolicited approach in a responsive fashion and Haman’s manipulative scheme was exposed, the fact remained the decree against the Jews was still in force because kingly decrees were viewed as irrevocable.  So the king issued a counter-decree demonstrating his support for the Jews by allowing them to protect themselves against their attackers on the day they were scheduled for annihilation.

Mordecai, as well, was promoted and tapped to replace Haman.  Verses 15-16 say, “When Mordecai left the king’s presence, he was wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen.  And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration. For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.”  Even though the decree was still hanging over their heads, the people of God could rejoice.  Because of the king’s counter-decree, they could be assured of victory ahead of time.

By the same token, we live in a day when the disappointment and dissatisfaction of being part of a fallen world is still hanging over our heads.  We continually come up against the infection and corruption of the world, as our course is not yet run and our salvation is not yet complete.  But like the Hebrew people, we can rejoice because of our confidence in a King who has made a proclamation that when history comes to its anticipated climax, He will reign and we will win!

Paul writes these words in Philippians 1.5-6: “(I am) confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  May we live with a similar faith and assurance because of our confidence in the decree and character of our God.

 John Whitsett

Prayer: Heavenly Father your Word reminds me that I am to focus on what is unseen rather than what is seen.  When it comes to living with a sense of confidence in the future, help me to be able to do that in spite of the fallen-ness of the surrounding world.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 118:14-18

14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,

16 the right hand of the LORD exalts, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"

17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.

18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, but he has not given me over to death.