July 20

Esther 8

Mordecai is honored and promoted.

INSIGHT

The law of the Medes and Persians cannot be revoked. Once written, no one, not even the king, can rescind it. The law to annihilate the Jews is carved in stone. Since the original plan cannot be revoked, a clever counter-plan is conceived to neutralize it. Permission is given to the Jews to arm themselves and to assemble and defend themselves. In addition, Mordecai is raised to power, replacing the position previously occupied by Haman. God´s sovereign protection of His people in exile is in its final stages. The integrity of Esther and Mordecai is rewarded. Righteousness triumphs.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord for His watchfulness over the circumstances of our lives:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord.
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore.
Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth (Psalm 105:1-5).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?…
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved,
For You are my praise (Jeremiah 17:9, 14).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater passion for moral excellence
• Your activities for the day
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).