Esther Reading Plan – W6D4
Check out all the previous Esther readings here.
Esther Reading Plan | Week 6 | 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 strength and courage to live for Him today.
Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9
Read these verses three times slowly.
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Reflection & Questions
We read this week of Mordecai’s challenge to Esther to go before King Xerxes on behalf of the Jews, even if it might cost her life. In today’s reading, we read of another Bible character who was given a scary task. Joshua is called upon to fill the shoes of Moses, and to lead the Israelites into the promised land. This isn’t just a matter of walking to a new neighborhood. This will mean fierce battles against enemies. It will mean leading a stubborn people. It will test Joshua to the core.
God’s words to Joshua are crucial at this moment. He tells him “Be strong and courageous”, “Keep this Book of Law always on your lips” and “the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” These aren’t just nice phrases, but words Joshua will hold onto with every fiber of his being as he takes steps forward in faith.
We, too, can hold onto these words. We can memorize scripture and keep it on our lips for quick access whenever we face doubt and fear. When we step into situations that are hard or dark, we can be strong and courageous because we know God is with us. God does not call us to be courageous on our own. He doesn’t call us to be strong without a strengthening agent. He calls us to take steps of faith and as we take them we’ll see that He is right there with us.
- Do you have a verse(s) that you hold onto for times when courage is required? If not, maybe memorize Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- What situation(s) are you facing that require courage? Talk to God about them.
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: Esther 4:9-11
Read these verses three times slowly.
Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.
Then Esther directed him to give an answer to Mordecai. She told him to say, “There is a certain law that everyone knows about. All the king’s officials know about it. The people in the royal territories know about it. It applies to any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard without being sent for. It says they must be put to death. But there is a way out. Suppose the king reaches out his gold scepter toward them. Then their lives will be spared. But 30 days have gone by since the king sent for me.”
Reflection & Questions
Have you ever been encouraged to do something that is hard or that seems dangerous? Not a dare that friends try to get you to do. They can be too dangerous and too hard. I mean, when a coach, a parent, or a teacher wants you to try something you do not think you can do. For instance, jumping from the high dive, reading a difficult book, entering a contest, or executing a complicated play.
Esther did not think she could talk to the king. He had not wanted to see her for a whole month. He did not have to accept her if she went to speak to him now. She was not sure if he would hold out the scepter to her. The idea really scared her.
Sometimes we have a chance to try something that will be really hard, and we would rather not do it. We always have a choice. If God wants us to try something challenging, He will be with us, and the rewards we get from doing it will be worth it.
- Have you ever tried something hard that you were not sure you could do?
- How would a good leader share their responsibilities?
- Is there anything God wants you to try this week? Or this school year? Are you willing to do it?
Pray
Thank God that He always sees the beginning and the end of things. Thank Him for having a plan for everything. Ask Him to show you what your part is in His plan. Ask Him to give you courage to do what He asks you to do.
Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.
Questions?
Ed Applegate
