Topic: Our Unflagging Deliverer [4th August 2018 Daily Devotional]
Text: Esther 9:20-28 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed” (Esther 9:28).
MESSAGE:
The term “Anti-Semitism” is commonly used to refer to hatred or prejudice against the Jews. Despite God’s promise to Abraham which was transferred to Jacob (Genesis 12:3; 27:29), the Jews continued to be the target of unrivaled and mysterious hatred.
One occasion of Anti-Semitism was when Haman plotted to eliminate the Jews throughout the Persian Empire. Supposedly, he was reacting to the “insubordination” of Mordecai, a Jew that refused to bow to him. By providence, Haman’s plot failed and he was hanged on the same gallow he erected for Mordecai. The Jews were also empowered by a counter decree to defend themselves against their enemies.
What followed was the birth of an annual commemorative festival called “Purim”, celebrated on 14th and 15th of March (Hebrew month of Adar). Purim, meaning “lot”, is an ironic reference to Haman’s resort to casting of lot to determine the month and date appropriate for the massacre of the Jews. The lot casting, which started on the first month, favoured the 13th day of the last month. This long intervening period enabled the Jews to seek divine and royal redress and had the wicked decree reversed.
Being delivered from eternal damnation is enough reason for the believer to have constant “Purim”. But even in everyday life, God still delivers His people from every evil plot. Never lose sight of the gracious interventions of God, “Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10).
Thought For The Day: To be in constant celebration, constantly think of God’s goodness.
Bible Reading In One Year: Nahum
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
){kind=link}