Highlight God's sovereignty and providence in our lives, even in challenging circumstances, as exemplified in the story of Esther.
Good morning, church family! Today we are diving into the book of Esther, particularly chapter 2. Esther's story is a testament to the sovereignty of God and how He works in mysterious and unexpected ways, even in the most difficult circumstances.
As A.W. Tozer aptly put it, "While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn't surrendered His authority."
Do you ever feel like situations in your life are out of control? Like you're stuck in a place of hardship and uncertainty, and you're unsure of how everything will work out? Well, friends, I'm here to tell you that we serve a God who's got everything under control, and He is faithful in every circumstance.
Let's now turn our Bibles to Esther 2.
[Read passage]
This verse speaks of an ordinary woman, Esther, who was favored by the king and made queen. A simple girl who ended up being used by God in extraordinary ways to save her people. That's the providence of God at work, folks.
But before we delve deeper, let's pray.
Heavenly Father, we invite You here today. Open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us see Your hand at work in our lives, even when circumstances seem challenging. May we be encouraged by Esther's story and reminded of Your unwavering faithfulness. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Now, let's dive into this beautiful story of God's sovereignty and providence.
In the book of Esther, we see a vivid demonstration of God's sovereignty, His supreme power and authority over everything that happens in the universe. The story of Esther is a testament to this truth, showing us how God's hand was at work in every detail of her life, even when it seemed like things were spiraling out of control.
God is actively involved: Esther, an ordinary Jewish girl, was chosen to be the queen of Persia, a position that put her in a place of influence and power. This was not a coincidence or a stroke of luck. It was God's divine plan unfolding. He orchestrated events in such a way that Esther would be in the right place at the right time to save her people from a plot of mass genocide. This shows us that God is not a distant observer of our lives. He is actively involved, working out His plans and purposes in ways that we often cannot see or understand.
The favor she found with the king: Esther 2:17 tells us that the king was attracted to Esther more than any other woman, and she won his favor and approval. This was not merely because of her beauty or charm. God was at work, stirring the king's heart towards Esther. This favor was crucial for Esther to fulfill the role God had for her. It gave her the platform she needed to intercede for her people.
The timing of events in Esther's life: When Haman plotted to destroy the Jews, it seemed like the end for Esther's people. But God, in His perfect timing, had positioned Esther as queen just in time to intervene. Esther's courage to approach the king, risking her life, resulted in the deliverance of her people. This was not a mere twist of fate. It was the hand of God, working out His perfect plan at the perfect time.
Does not negate human responsibility: Esther had to make the courageous decision to go before the king. She had to step out in faith, trusting that God was in control. God's sovereignty and human responsibility work together in ways that we may not fully understand, but we see it clearly demonstrated in Esther's life.
Not just a theological concept: It is a reality that brings comfort and hope in the midst of life's challenges. When we understand that God is in control, we can face any situation with confidence, knowing that He is working out everything for our good and His glory.
When we talk about God's faithfulness, we're referring to His steadfast commitment to us, His unwavering love, and His promise to never leave us nor forsake us ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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