Esther Reading Plan – W5D4
Check out all the previous Esther readings here.
Esther Reading Plan | Week 5 | 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 give you wisdom to live according to His will today.
Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:8-15
Read these verses three times slowly.
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection & Questions
We read this week in Esther of Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman. Mordecai was standing up for what he believed in evil times. In today’s reading, Paul challenges us on how to live given that “the days are evil.” He says “walk in the way of love” and “live as children of light”. He says, “find out what pleases the Lord”, “be very careful how you live” and “understand what the Lord’s will is.”
It is clear that Paul wants us to take our actions and attitudes in these days very seriously. These are not times to be sleepy or indifferent. We’re to be fully awake, clear on what we believe and clear on what the Lord’s will is. We’re to pursue Jesus with all our heart and to live lives in the light.
- As you read the passage, which of Paul’s instructions spoke to you? Why?
- Do you feel like you are living as a wise Christian in these days or not? Why? Is there a next step you need to take?
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
Go to your quiet place. When there are no devices around that will distract you, take a deep breath. Blow it out slowly. Do that again. And do it one last time. Ask God for His help to read and understand.
Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:8, 10-11
Read these verses three times slowly.
Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “Certain people are scattered among the nations. They live in all the territories in your kingdom. They keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their practices are different from the practices of all other people. They don’t obey your laws. It really isn’t good for you to put up with them.
So the king took his ring off his finger. The ring had his royal seal on it. He gave the ring to Haman. Haman was the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite. Haman was the enemy of the Jews. . . .The king said to Haman. “Do what you want to with those people.”
Reflection & Questions
Has your teacher ever stepped out of class for a second and put one of the kids in charge? How about your parents? If you had older brothers or sisters, your parents might have left one of them in charge. Usually, they have to follow the same rules as usual. Most of the time, parents keep the kids from making up their own rules, even if they are in charge for a short time.
King Xerxes was really quick to let people make their own rules in his country. Anyone with the king’s ring with the royal seal had all the Empire’s power on their finger! Haman got to write whatever kind of law he wanted to. Haman already knew that he wanted to get rid of the Jews, so he made a law saying that was what would happen.
The king had not even asked which people the law would be about. He just gave Haman the ring. Does Xerxes sound like a good king? Good kings might let other people help make decisions. Still, I do not think they would just give up their ring so easily. Remember, Xerxes had to make people obey him, and it seems like he had to make people show respect to Haman.
Sometimes we are leading, and we don’t even know it. If you have a younger brother or sister, they are watching you to see how you do things. You are leading them by your example. Other kids at school or at church may be watching you too.
- Do you think Xerxes was a good leader?
- How would a good leader share their responsibilities?
- Have you had an opportunity to be a leader?
Pray
Thank God that He is the best example of a leader. Ask Him to help you make good decisions. Ask Him to help you follow the example of people who follow Him.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
