July 28, 2009
The Chosen Woman
Mary Southerland
Today's Truth
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you” (NCV).
Friend To Friend
After teaching elementary school for several years, I decided that my students would never again play any game that required children to choose teams because, inevitably, the least popular or most athletically challenged children would be left standing alone, on display, easy targets for derogatory labels and ridicule. We began choosing teams on the basis of birthday month, favorite flavor of ice cream or color of clothing worn that day. The result was that every child was chosen.
The reality is that we all long to be chosen, loved by someone who sees us as we really are and recognizes our worth. Esther was chosen by God but like many of us, felt unworthy of that choice. Esther was an orphan, an insignificant and unknown Jewish girl living with her uncle, Mordecai, when she was chosen to be Queen, the wife of Persian King Ahasueras. Esther reigned for only a short time when Mordecai learned of a plot to assassinate the King. Mordecai told Esther who told Ahasueras. The guilty men were executed and the king’s life was spared but life for the Jewish people became extremely difficult.
Haman, a very influential but evil officer in the king’s court, was promoted to the second highest position in the land. Haman hated the Jews and convinced the King to issue a law that all people had to bow to the King or they would be executed. That law would mean certain death for not only Esther and Mordecai, but for every Jew who bowed only to God. And there was one other small problem. The King did not know that his new queen was a Jew. As Esther and her people fasted and prayed for God’s direction, Esther planned a banquet for the king and Haman. During the banquet, Esther revealed Haman’s plot and the fact that she was a Jew. The King condemned Haman to die and saved the Jewish nation. In short, God raised Esther up to save her people.
Esther was a woman just like us, with hopes and dreams, strengths and weaknesses. She was imperfect, insecure and also chosen to be queen.
Esther 4:14 “And who knows, you may have been chosen queen for just such a time as this" (ICB).
Esther was chosen - not just by a King but by God. God placed Esther in a high position of leadership at a very special time and for a very special reason. The same is true in your life and in mine. You are no accident and where you are is no surprise to God. Situational ethics is now being taught in many schools. One teacher, wanting to illustrate that human reasoning is many times wrong, gave the following situation to a class of students: "How would you advise a mother who was pregnant with her fifth child based on the following facts. Her husband had syphilis. She had tuberculosis. Their first child was born blind, their second child died while their third child was born deaf and the fourth child had tuberculosis. The mother is considering an abortion. Would you advise her to have one?" Most of the students agreed that she should have an abortion. The teacher then announced, “If you said 'Yes' you would have just killed the great composer Ludwig von Beethoven!"
You and I were created in response to the loving plan of God.
Psalm 139:14-16 “I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body. When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old” (NCV).
We were created in love … for love. God Himself supervised our formation. We were created for a special purpose and with a unique plan for our lives. In other words, we were created by God for God!
Psalm 100:3 “Know that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends” (NCV).
In this verse, “LORD” literally means “Father” or “dearest daddy.” We were not created to be His puppet. We were created for an intimate relationship with God. He created us and chose us. And just as God had a special plan for Esther, He has a special plan for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 “I know what I am planning for you," says the LORD. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future” (NCV).
The best plan for our lives rests solely in the hands of the One who created us. In the early days of the automobile, a man's Model T Ford stalled in the middle of the road. No matter what he tried, the car wouldn’t start. Finally, a chauffeured limousine pulled up behind him and a wiry, energetic man stepped from the back seat, offering his assistance. After tinkering for a few moments, the stranger said, "Now try it!" Immediately the engine leaped to life. The well dressed man then identified himself as Henry Ford. "I designed and built these cars," he said, "So I know what to do when something goes wrong."
God is our creator. When our lives are broken, He can heal them. When the plan falls apart, He can fix it. We are wanted, loved and cherished by God. We belong to Him. We are chosen.
Let's Pray
Father, thank You for loving me. Thank You for the plan You have for my life. I want to follow You and obey you each day - for Your glory, Lord. I want others to examine my life and know that the only possible explanation is You. When I am in trouble, remind me to turn to You first for the answers I need. Help me to walk in the Light, to doubt my doubts and to celebrate the fact that because I am chosen ... I am blessed. I love You, Father.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
In your journal, record a word, phrase or sentence that describes your identity in Christ, using the word below:
C _________________________________________
H _________________________________________
O _________________________________________
S _________________________________________
E _________________________________________
N _________________________________________
More From The Girlfriends
There are still times when I find it difficult to wrap my heart and mind around the unfathomable truth that God chose me – for anything. I guess that is the wonder of it all to me. He loves this unlovable daughter. He chose this unlikely servant. The only explanation is grace – God’s amazing grace. My every breath should be a celebration of that grace, knowing that in Him, I am loved, worthy and chosen. Join me, my friend, in celebrating our worth in His eyes.
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