Esther - Lesson Ten - Day 6

DAY SIX: Living in Such a Time as This

1.  Derek Prime well stated that the theme of the Feast of Purim can be summarized in the word remember; we can learn several lessons from the Feast about rest, feasting, fellowship, walking in joy, and practicing generosity.[x]  Having reminders such as this can help us to remember the lessons God has taught us, and gives us confidence in facing the future.  What are some of your “memorial markers,” things that can help you to hang onto the truths you’ve been learning, to face the challenges the future will bring?  Please record some of these things and share how this helps you look toward the future in joy and confidence.

 

2.  This was the end of the story for these people.  Mordecai would continue to serve the king and the Jewish people for the next ten years until Ahasuerus was assassinated, but we don’t know what happened after this.[xi]  As Warren Wiersbe well pointed out, not everyone is going to have a happy ending to their life’s story, but we can gain reassurance when we remember that God will be the one writing the last chapter![xii]  Read the following passage and record how this encourages you to trust in the Lord all the more for your future:

 

But this precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us — is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be obvious in our dying bodies. So we live in the face of death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you. But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, and so I speak."  We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:7—18, nlt).

3.  Someone once said, “Only one life, will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”  Our lives will have an impact on others one way or the other; we need to choose to have our lives make the right impact for God’s kingdom.  As you think back over the things you have read in the Book of Esther, what in particular stood out to you about the impact that Esther and Mordecai had in others’ lives, and how has that motivated you personally?  Please record your thoughts to share with your group.

 

Scripture Memory:  Hopefully you now can write out this week’s passage completely by memory.  Do so now, and keep on reviewing it so you will be ready to share it with others in your group time.

Esther 9:22

 

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