October 5, 2015:  SOAP #2132:

Scripture:  Esther 3:6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he [Haman] scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

Observation:   Xerxes was king of Persia 485-465 BC.  Esther was a young Jewish girl raise by her uncle Mordechai because both of her parents were dead.  She won the king’s heart in a beauty contest and became queen.  By God’s obvious design, she was in place when Haman planned the annihilation of the Jews.  God used her to bring deliverance to the Jews.    Today there are key world leaders who want to remove Israel from the world map.  But their plans will be thwarted as was Haman’s.  The same God who brought salvation to the Jews in 500 BC is the same God who will preserve Israel in 2015 AD.

Application:   Two thoughts come to my mind in applying the truth of this verse to my life.  First, in times of trouble, I can have confidence that God has already placed people around me he will use to bring deliverance.  God is sovereign to prepare for my future needs.  Second, I may be the one placed near someone else to help them in their time of trouble.  God is sovereign to place me where I can best serve others.

Prayer:   Lord, I am amazed in how you work ahead to have help available at the time when it is needed!  Obviously my troubles do not take you by surprise!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!