For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Word of God is living and active. That is just the neatest thing! Every week, when I prepare the lesson, it has just been such an incredible thing to see how God has used it in my own life.
As we finish up the story of Esther, we are reminded that in the end God really does win! It doesn't really matter what is happening at this very moment. God will turn our sorrow into joy and mourning into laughter! The other thing that really stuck out to me in the end of the book, was just how very important it is for us to make monuments of remembrance. This month, has been the 10th anniversary of 9/11. All of us I'm sure can remember exactly where we were, and when we heard the news. Because of that, it is almost inconceivable to us, that anyone could ever forget or not know what happened on that fateful day. Yet, the truth is, there are children that have been born during this last 10 years, that have no idea what 9/11 is. And without monuments of remembrance they will grow up and have no idea. So just as it is important for us to have memorials and monuments in our country, it is also important to have them in our lives too. I'm not talking about shrines here. We are talking about monuments that teach our children and those after us, from our failings. We aren't enshrining our failures, we are praising God for the victories that he brought about. In Esther, after the enemies of the Jews were vanquished there was a celebration! Before Esther walked off the scene and let Mordecai and King Ahasuerus, get back to business, she made sure that the days of Purim would be observed at their appointed seasons. Esther 9:29-32 Why was this important? Because, each year at the feast of Purim from the time of Esther to this present day, the Jews recounted the story of how Haman tried to destroy them, but how Almighty God saved them. Every child grew up knowing what happened.
That has made me stop to think...am I living at a shrine to my past failures and shortcomings? Do I spend time thinking about what might have been or should have been or could have been if only? Or have I made a monument of remembrance for the incredible victories God has brought about in my life? Do I celebrate the joy of my salvation and the freedom I have been given in Christ? Keeping my eyes on Him?
What an incredible blessing to know that in the end, God wins! 2 Timothy 4:7-8,
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
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