Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Thank God that He listens to you and answers your prayers; ask Him to teach you more from His word today.

Bible Reading: Esther 9:20-28

Read these verses three times slowly.

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

So the Jews agreed to continue the celebration they had begun, doing what Mordecai had written to them. For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the pur (that is, the lot) for their ruin and destruction. But when the plot came to the king’s attention, he issued written orders that the evil scheme Haman had devised against the Jews should come back onto his own head, and that he and his sons should be impaled on poles. (Therefore these days were called Purim, from the word pur.) Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, the Jews took it on themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

Reflection & Questions

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we know what it feels like to celebrate a feast year after year in celebration and thankfulness. This is exactly what the Jews began with the feast of Pur and it continues to this day. Celebration is an important spiritual act. Again and again in scripture we find ways that people commemorated and celebrated what God has done. Oftentimes we can forget to celebrate. We can quickly move on to what’s next without looking back and thanking God. God is good and when He comes through for us in small or big ways, it is right to celebrate.

1. What are some ways that God has come through for you?
2. Do you celebrate those events? If not, what are some ways that you could? For example, you might add them to your calendar each year and have a special meal that day.

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

Have a favorite worship song you think would be helpful to others? Email Pastor Ed your ideas