“The World in Crisis, and No Genius in Sight” read an editorial headline of The Wall Street Journal in July 2016. The article was written against the backdrop of a world watching to see who would win the presidential election in the US; investors and economists speculating the impact of Brexit (the UK’s exit from the European Union) on the world’s economy; the dark cloud of terrorism looming over Europe; and waves of refugees looking for safe haven.
Today, the world continues to be in crisis, and we’re still looking for solutions. Fortunately, the book of Esther speaks to us in these perilous times.
In Esther 2, we encounter a king looking for a new queen after exiling his last wife in a rage. The king’s advisors concocted a plan—for the king to have his pick from the most beautiful young women in the kingdom. Esther, a young Jewish girl, was one of the women brought to the king’s harem (Esther 2:7-8).
Esther stood out from the group and found favor with Hegai, keeper of the harem, and subsequently with the king, who “loved Esther more than any of the other young women” and crowned her queen (Esther 2:15-17). As harrowing as this must have been for Esther, to have her life in the hands of an unpredictable king, her ordeal set the stage for the young queen to play an important role in protecting God’s people from total annihilation (Esther 8:1-17).
Although God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, we can see Him working behind the scenes to save His people. And He’s still at work today. Although evil and tragedy may strike, God is still on His throne and nothing can ultimately thwart His purposes. We can rest in His good ways—knowing that He will never leave or abandon us (Hebrews 13:5).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Nehemiah 8:1-18
More:
Read Daniel 2:20-22 and consider what the prophet said about God’s power and sovereignty over all things.
Next:
How does the reality that God sovereignly works through current affairs shape the way you take in the news? Why does this give you hope today?
Gary Shultz on May 1, 2017 at 5:18 am
Hi Poh: Isn’t Ester an amazing account? Sometimes I think the first hurtle is bringing reality to people that God is sovereign, and that He is closely engaged in the affairs of man. Very few people would confess that today in the USA. If one has opened their heart and mind to the Lordship of our Father and His Son Jesus Christ, life won’t make more sense, but will become more peaceful. We know that God knows, and knowing God, is a place of peace and trust. Can we trust God with the future, then do we trust God with the future? Most times if it doesn’t look promising, we want nothing to do with it, where is our trust. To be able to trust God in any and all situations is a difficult thing, but to be peaceful “In This Present Crisis” is built on a relationship. All of this you know, as you have encouraged people to Praise God as He moves in world events. He has complete control and we are going somewhere, by His grace. Thanks Poh
sandy229 on May 1, 2017 at 11:24 am
This is my prayer for dealing with the current crisis, I borrowed it because it says everything I wanted to pray, and all I can do is pray about it because seriously I do not know what else to do.
Dear Jesus,
Help me to spread Your fragrance wherever I go.
Flood my soul with Your Spirit and life.
Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly,
that my life may only be a radiance of Yours.
Shine through me, and be so in me
that every soul I come in contact with
may feel Your presence in my soul.
Let them look up, and see no longer me, but only Jesus!
Stay with me and then I will begin to shine as You shine,
so to shine as to be a light to others.
The light, O Jesus, will be all from You; none of it will be mine.
It will be You, shining on others through me.
Let me thus praise You in the way which You love best,
by shining on those around me.
Let me preach You without preaching, not by words but by my example,
by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do,
the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to You.
Amen.
1esther on May 1, 2017 at 10:04 pm
“Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
21
He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
22
He reveals deep and mysterious things
and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he is surrounded by light. Daniel 2: 20-22 NLT
How does the reality that God sovereignly works through current affairs shape the way you take in the news? God is still working behind the scenes. He knows every heart and He is in control. I praise God with Daniel “Praise the name of God forever and ever, I praise You for who You are, Creator Elohim, Jehovah – shalom the Lord is Peace. Why does this give me hope today? Because He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Rev. 4:8 NLT