Esther 9, from Mourning to Joy

Est 9:2-3, The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, BECAUSE FEAR OF THEM FELL UPON ALL PEOPLE. And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king’s work, helped the Jews, BECAUSE THE FEAR OF MORDECAI FELL UPON THEM.

Deu 2:25, … I WILL BEGIN TO PUT THE DREAD AND FEAR OF YOU UPON THE NATIONS UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN, WHO SHALL HEAR THE REPORT OF YOU, AND SHALL TREMBLE AND BE IN ANGUISH BECAUSE OF YOU.’ 

The LORD can put a thought in their head, and fear their hearts! YET BELIEVERS IN HIM SHOULD NEVER FEAR BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN US A DIFFERENT SPIRIT!

2Ti 1:7, FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND. 

Est 9:22, as the days on which the Jews had rest from their enemies, as the month WHICH WAS TURNED FROM SORROW TO JOY FOR THEM, AND FROM MOURNING TO A HOLIDAY;

Whatever situation that were in HE can change it for good! REMEMBER JOSEPH!

Gen 50:20, BUT AS FOR YOU, YOU MEANT EVIL AGAINST ME; BUT GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Psa 30:5, …WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING. 

We are limited in our thoughts and understanding, yet HE KNOWS ALL. We may not know why something has happened but HE can change use anything to HIS gain! HAVE FAITH IN TIMES OF TROUBLE FOR HE IS ALWAYS WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF!

Rom 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

Psa 30:11-12, YOU HAVE TURNED FOR ME MY MOURNING INTO DANCING; YOU HAVE PUT OFF MY SACKCLOTH AND CLOTHED ME WITH GLADNESS, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD MY GOD, I WILL GIVE THANKS TO YOU FOREVER.

2Kings 21, Be careful what you ask!

2Ki 21:2,6, And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel… ALSO HE MADE HIS SON PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritists and mediums. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger

Manasseh reigned 55 evil years and shed much blood; the blood of the prophets! Many believe that they reference of Heb 11:37 was about Isaiah being sawn in two!

Heb 11:37, They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword…

2Ch 33:10, And the LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, But They Would Not Listen. 

2Ki 21:13, And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I WILL WIPE JERUSALEM AS ONE WIPES A DISH, WIPING IT AND TURNING IT UPSIDE DOWN.

All this came because Hezekiah was given 15 years more in life! Hezekiah was a good king, but the LORD knows why it was his time!  Yet, as an example for us gave him 15 more years of life!  SOMETIMES WE JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT WERE ASKING, PLEASE LORD THIS, PLEASE LORD DO THAT, BUT HE DOESN’T!  HE KNOWS WHAT’S BEST FOR US AND IF WE GOT WHAT WE WANTED IT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE FOR OUR DESTRUCTION!

Jas 4:3, You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR! IT MAY BE GIVEN TO YOU!!

2Kings 20, His time is best!

2Ki 20:1, In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet… “Thus says the LORD: ‘SET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER, FOR YOU SHALL DIE, AND NOT LIVE.

Hezekiah was 39 years old & about to die!

2Ki 20:2-3, Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

He pleaded to the LORD and HE heard his prayer! Hezekiah received what he prayed for!

2Ki 20:6, And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.

Sometimes when we pray, we have no idea of what where saying or asking; for we don’t know what tomorrow may bring!

Pro 27:1, Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. 

After his miraculous recover, he bore an evil son named Manasseh, and fell into pride!

2Ch 32:25, But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. 

If Hezekiah would have known what would happen in those extra 15 years, he would have been content in dying at the age of 39! HE KNOW WHEN AND WHY! TRUST IN HIS WILL FOR YOU FOR HE KNOWS BEST!

1Kings 14, Fooling ourselves!

1Ki 14:1-2, At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick. And Jeroboam said to his wife, “PLEASE ARISE, AND DISGUISE YOURSELF, that they may not recognize you as the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Indeed, AHIJAH THE PROPHET IS THERE, …

1Ki 14:4-5, … But Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were glazed by reason of his age. Now the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Here is the wife of Jeroboam … when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.

We may be able to deceive people, but never the LORD! FOR HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU, YET HE STILL LOVES YOU!

Psa 139:2-4, You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

1Ki 14:6, And so it was, when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps as she came through the door, he said, “COME IN, WIFE OF JEROBOAM. WHY DO YOU PRETEND TO BE ANOTHER PERSON? FOR I HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOU WITH BAD NEWS. 

Heb 4:13, AND THERE IS NO CREATURE HIDDEN FROM HIS SIGHT, BUT ALL THINGS ARE NAKED AND OPEN TO THE EYES OF HIM TO WHOM WE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT. 

WE CAN PRETEND AND HIDE OUR TRUE SELVES ALL WE WANT, YET WE DECEIVE OURSELVES! REMEMBER HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOU, AND STILL LOVES YOU!