TOPIC: Festival of Purim Established
OPENING PRAYER: Grant me grace dear Lord to apply what you will teach me today as I read this passage.
SCRIPTURE: Esther 9:16-10:3
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
• Q 2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Q 7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
March 27, 2023 Scripture Union Daily Guide MESSAGE
In the provinces and outside the capital Susa, other Jews gather to defend their lives. They experience relief from their enemies and kill 70,000 of these enemies in the 127 provinces. It is time to rest and celebrate and share presents and food to mark how God providentially steps in so that they are not totally destroyed by Haman’s wicked plans. God’s intervention makes the King reverse Haman’s plan, and he, his family and others get destroyed. Mordecai makes this celebration formal and for it to happen annually. And why is this called “Purim” (vs.24-26; cf. 3:7)? The lot was cast for the ruin and the destruction of the Jews, but God reversed it. Purim, a celebration of deliverance, would be the only annual Jewish festival in the Old Testament that was not established by Moses.
Notice why Mordecai was held in high esteem (10:3)? This is a leadership quality and style that national leaders should practise. In summary, Esther, the slave girl, rose to become Queen with full authority in various issues in the palace while Mordecai, the gateman, became a powerful man, second in rank to King Xerxes. Indeed “God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble” (James 4:7, NIV). See also 1 Samuel 2:6-10).
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER
Father God, in you I have the best safety. I can trust you for your providential care throughout my life.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Psalms 62:1 ‐ 2
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Deuteronomy 6, 7, Acts 19.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Mon, 27-Mar-2023
PRAYER FOCUS
CHILDREN: SAFETY ENSURED IN CHRIST
But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
– 2Theselonians 3:3
THANK GOD FOR:
► Giving us children who will replace us in SU and other Christian Ministries.
► His promise to be our light, salvation, and the strength of our life.
PRAY FOR:
► God to continue to keep, protect, be a guide, strength and refuge for our children in SU and other Christian Ministries.
► Grace for families to continue to train their children to trust in the Almighty God.
► God to perfect all that concern our children, their life, education and future endeavours.
PRAY AGAINST:
► Our children getting weary because of all that is happening around them.
► Our children failing to trust God to positively use their creativity despite all the challenges of Life.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 27 March 2023. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God
