Explore God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the power of prayer during difficult times, using the story of Mordecai and Haman in Esther chapter 3 as an example.
Good morning, brothers and sisters! Today, we're going to dive into the book of Esther, specifically chapter 3, and explore some deep truths about our God. We're going to examine His sovereignty over human plans, His faithfulness during difficult times, and the power of prayer when adversity comes knocking at our door.
A. W. Tozer once said, "While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes, there is a God who hasn't surrendered His authority." It's a reminder that even when we don't understand what's happening around us, God is still in control.
Let's read together Esther 3:
[Read passage]
Now, let's join our hearts in prayer:
Gracious Father, we thank You for Your word that speaks truth into our lives. As we delve into Esther today, open our hearts and minds, Lord, to understand and embrace Your sovereignty, Your faithfulness, and the power of prayer. Help us to see Your hand at work even in the most challenging times. In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.
So, let's get started, shall we?
In the book of Esther, we see a clear demonstration of God's sovereignty over human plans. God's sovereignty means that He is in absolute control of everything that happens in the universe. Nothing happens without His knowledge and permission. This is a comforting truth because it assures us that even when things seem chaotic and out of control, God is still in charge.
The life of Mordecai: King Xerxes had elevated Haman to a position of great honor, and all the royal officials were commanded to kneel down and pay him honor. However, Mordecai, a Jew, refused to do so. This act of defiance could have cost him his life, but Mordecai was willing to stand firm in his faith, trusting in God's sovereign control over the situation.
Mordecai wasn’t passive or fatalistic: He was actively trusting in God, believing that God was in control and would work out His purposes. This is a crucial point for us to understand. God's sovereignty does not absolve us of responsibility or action. Instead, it gives us the confidence to act courageously, knowing that our actions are part of God's sovereign plan.
Putting evil to good use: God's sovereignty also means that He can use even the evil intentions of people for His purposes. Haman was a wicked man who plotted to destroy the Jews. However, God used Haman's evil plans to bring about His purposes. Haman's plot led to a series of events that resulted in the Jews being saved and God being glorified. This shows us that no matter how bleak the situation may seem, God is able to turn it around for good.
He is working out His purposes in history: The events in the book of Esther were not random or coincidental. They were part of God's sovereign plan. God was working behind the scenes, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes. This gives us hope and confidence in the midst of uncertainty. We can trust that God is in control and that He is working out His purposes in our lives and in the world.
Not limited by human plans or actions: Haman had a plan to destroy the Jews, but God had a different plan. God's plan prevailed. This reminds us that no matter how powerful or influential people may seem, they are not in control. God is. He can overrule and overturn human plans to accomplish His purposes.
A call to trust and obedience: Mordecai trusted in God's sovereignty, and he obeyed God's commands, even when it was difficult and risky. His trust and obedience were rewarded. God protected him and used him to save his people. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and to obey His commands, no matter the cost.
As we delve deeper into the narrative of Esther, we see the faithfulness of God in difficult times as a recurring theme ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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