Esther Reading Plan – W11D4
Check out all the previous Esther readings here.
Esther Reading Plan | Week 11 | Day 4
Prayer
As you begin your time with God, where you are sitting or standing, put out your hands with your palm facing up. Ask God to speak to you from His word; to give you encouragement and strength for this day.
Bible Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3
Read these verses three times slowly.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Reflection & Questions
This week in our readings we are reflecting on the celebration of the Jews in their rescue by God’s grace through the work of Esther and Mordecai. That work is a foreshadowing of the work that Jesus was going to do to rescue all who would put faith in Him. Today’s reading tells us “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame.” Jesus went to work for us. He didn’t hold back. He went all the way to the cross – because he saw the joy of heaven with us. His joy was our joy together with Him.
So, as we run the race of this life – where do we fix our eyes? Where do we look for hope and strength? We look right at Him. We run with our eyes on Him. Our race of life may be filled with obstacles and hardships, but there’s a goal. Jesus. We don’t give the obstacles and hardships our attention. We give Jesus our attention, “so that [we] will not grow weary and lose heart.”
- What is hindering you from running the race of life with perseverance?
- When facing trials, where does your gaze go? Why?
Prayer
Pray in response to today’s reading.
Worship Song
You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:
Prepare to Meet with Jesus
Find a quiet place to read and pray. Make sure there are no devices around that will distract you. Pray and ask God to help you concentrate. Ask Him to help you understand what you read.
Bible Reading: Esther 9:20-22
Read these verses three times slowly.
Mordecai wrote down these events. He sent letters to all the Jews all through the territories of King Xerxes. It didn’t matter whether the Jews lived nearby or far away. Mordecai told them to celebrate the 14th and 15th days of the month of Adar. He wanted them to do it every year. Mordecai told the Jews to celebrate the time when they got rest from their enemies. That was the month when their sadness was turned into joy. It was when their weeping turned into a day for celebrating. He wrote the letters to celebrate those days as times of joy. He wanted the people to enjoy good food. He told them to give presents of food to one another. He also wanted them to give gifts to people who were poor.
Reflection & Questions
Does your family have any traditions that they do every year? Maybe it’s a special devotion that is done before Christmas Dinner each year. Or maybe it’s a fun game that you play every year after the Thanksgiving dinner has been cleaned up. Maybe on your birthday, everyone says something nice about you.
When you do a special tradition every year, you begin to expect it to happen each time you celebrate. This expectation is what Mordecai was creating when he told the Jews to celebrate their rest of their enemies. Every year he wanted them to remember the day that they rested from their enemies and celebrated the victory that God gave them.
- What is your favorite family tradition?
- Is there a tradition that you would like to do every year? Ask your mom or dad if you can start a new tradition.
Pray
Thank God for the family and friends with whom you have fun traditions. Thank Him for being a good, good Father.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
