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• charock01

  Thank you Sister Boonstra. As I read your comments it came home forcefully to me that our own salvation is somehow wrapped up in our genuine efforts to secure the salvation of others - as was the case with Esther and her people.

  And where to looked at the parallel between Esther and Jesus, I'm seeing the resolve of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, "not my will, but thine be done," as equivalent to Esther's resolve, "If I perish, I perish." And at just the point when she entered, unbidden, the king's chamber, where she literally places her life in his hand, so at the specific point of His death Jesus declared, "Into Thine hand I commend My spirit."

• Helen Okah

  Amen. Thank you Jesus for saving us

• christopher mpumba

  Amen Jean. The previous chapter highlighted the plot to exterminate the Jews and now the current stressing the importance of sacrifice . This scenario teaches me that the position that i may attain in this world by whatever means should not be abused.It is indeed the right time that God wants me to be a real blessing to others and not a stambling block to the work of the lord. " Lord God our father help us to be brothers keeper in Jesus in name" Amen.

• MattyB

  If God is for us, who can be against us. What is impossible in man's sight is ever possible with God the creator of the universe.

• charock01

  Nothing to Lose: We're Going to Die Anyway!

  The epic declaration of Mordecai to Queen Esther, “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews," makes a bigger state to humanity, which in the end means that we all will die. Hence, what have we to lose in seeking the intervention of our Heavenly Father, even amidst the need to accept Him by faith (without which it is impossible to please Him), and not by sight (having empirical evidence of His existence).

  The difference therefore between the believer and the non-believer is although they both experience pain, suffering, and death, the believer, in all of this, has hope, while the non-believer really does not. I prefer to live and die with hope, than without.

  Hope Makes Life More Bearable

  Of hope Scripture says, "And hope maketh not ashamed." Rom 5:5. The psychological benefit of hope is that it makes the pain easier to bear. It's like being sick during the night, and you anxiously await the break of daylight - because it somehow comes with the promise of healing. This idea is captured in the Psalms, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning," (30:5).

  So as we go through hardships and suffer many injustices, the hope of divine intervention and vindication affords us reprieve from the mental anguish of these sufferings, while we are yet alive. Then in our death, I've seen the solace that hope of resurrection has brought to many an anguishing survivor of the deceased. We can therefore conclude that in life hope makes life more bearable, and in death brings solace to the grieving.

  Father in Heaven, help us today to do the math, and come to the logical conclusion that the only thing that really makes sense in life is to serve you with sincerity of heart, and lay hold of the hope of eternal life that is promised to all who believe. I declare today Lord that "I believe; help thou mine unbelief." In Jesus' name, amen.

• Derek Morris

  For such a time as this... What a reminder for each one of us. May we serve faithfully in our appointed place. Thanks for your prayers as I travel to speak at the Texico camp meeting.

• mona

  Amen. God bless you.

• Judith Lorraine

  Amen Jean!

• Caleb

  Good morning

  I have been fighting with medications to help me recover from my sickness but it doesn't seem to be getting any better, I need the holy spirit to intervene. I pray that the creator of heaven and earth will touch me with his healing power in jesus name. Amen.

• Nella

  Praying for you.God sees your pain and he will come through just in time.

• christopher mpumba

  My God has healed more complicated illnesses than the one troubling you, just have faith in him.

• mona

  Praying.

• Ros Farrell

  Amen Jean. Although Esther was Queen she had no security, but prepared to act using prayer and fasting, seeking support from others, therein stands our strength when we are in trouble. How precious also are your thoughts towards us O God, how great is the sum of them, if we can count them they are more in number than the sand (adlib Ps 139:17). May we remember that our refuge can be found in the Rock of Ages.

• Thembie Mapingire.

  Amen Jean . May our actions show our character and trust in God

• NR

  Thank you Jean ,God has different plans for all us .may the spirit of God stir us to do his will.may you pray for me so that i have courage to spread the word of GOD. i am really kean but sometimes i find myself hesitating.dear heveanly father grant me courage and willingness to spread your word AMEN

• Harriet

  Good morning RBHW family, and thanks Jean for today's blog even as I echo some of your words; Risking our LIFE will be the only way to serve it, Jesus sacrificed his life to show us his character of Love. Our response to JESUS, this morning by the grace of God is in this song;

  Stand up stand up for Jesus! Ye soldiers of the cross;

  Lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss;

  From victory unto victory, His army shall He lead

  Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

  Stand up stand up for Jesus! stand in His strength alone;

  The arm of flesh will fail you, Ye dare not trust your own.

  Put on the gospel Armour, and watching unto prayer,

  Stand up! stand up for Jesus! The strife will not be long;

  This day the noise of battle, The next the victor's song.

  To him that over-cometh, A crown of life shall be;

  He with the king of glory shall reign eternally.

• Denis Lavrut

  Amen

• Gloria Mosha-Onchiri

  Amen.

• Jonathan Rutaganira

  "For Such a Time as This"

  "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Verse 14, NIV)

  There are a couple of Lessons for us:
  1) To always spend time in prayer. To pray that we would not miss the opportunities that God brings our way. To offer ourselves as an instrument for God’s plan in this world. To pray that the Lord will give us the courage to speak out for Him.

  2) Let us examine our sphere of influence and pray that God would reveal to us the people to help.

  My the Lord help us overcome our busyness and pre-occupation of self interest. May He open our eyes to see the positions He has placed us in and reveal what He would like us to use them for.

  Lord, give us eyes that see your people the way You see them and feel our hearts with your compassion for the lost. Empower us by the Holy Spirit, to be Your witness and carry out your command to make disciples (Acts 1:8). Thank you for choosing to use us. Amen

• KT Abbequayr

  Amen and Amen!

• Ros Farrell

  Please help us Lord

• Thembie Mapingire

  Amen brother

• Baiba

  Thank you for the mentioned lessons. It was encouragement for me! On Sunday We, as a pastors family, got to know that we have to leave our churches and go to next places. It's the first time for us and I couldn't imagine that it will be so hard..
  Are we fulfilled God's plan for our ministry?
  Jonathan, I want to join your prayer: "Lord, give us eyes that see your people the way You see them and feel our hearts with your compassion for the lost. Empower us by the Holy Spirit, to be Your witness and thank you for choosing to use us. Amen"
  I will be very thankful if you will pray for me, my husband and my children to overcome these changes! That we have strong faith and trust in our Saviour to go where He leads us!

• KT Abbequaye

  I am fasting and praying today and just prayed for you.

• christopher mpumba

  i m inspired please never look back,whatever God has promised his children that he shall fulfill.

• Ros Farrell

  May the Lord perfect everything that concerns you regarding your move Baiba as you go forward in faith, knowing He has already prepared the way for you. Blessings on your ministry

• Thembie Mapingire

  I have prayed for you Baiba and I too join in Jonathan's prayer. May The Lord help us.

• GillianMapp

  Amen Jean. As I reflect on this chapter we can see that Esther had not forgotten about God. Although she was queen in Persia, in a foreign and heathen land, she still had knowledge of and a relationship with God. I believe that it was due to her upbringing with her cousin. Although initially fearful as I'm sure most would be at certain death, she knew to call on God. Her personal safety was not important, saving her people was worth the cost, even if it meant her life. It got me thinking are we willing to sacrifice all even our very lives. I guess it's a hard one to truly answer unless you are in the situation. Many say things in safety which they later go back on. I pray that we all have faith and trust in God, that though it may cost us our lives we will still obey his commands.

  Another thing that stood out for me is the reminder that we can't do anything in our own strength. Esther knew she had to call on God and asked for the support of her brethren in prayer and fasting. May we remember not just in times of distress to call on God. We serve a God who is able.

  I just went to read the bible commentary on this chapter: "Esther 414-17. Consecrated Women Can Act Important Part—Through Esther the queen the Lord accomplished a mighty deliverance for His people. At a time when it seemed that no power could save them, Esther and the women associated with her, by fasting and prayer and prompt action, met the issue, and brought salvation to their people. (3BC 1140.1A )study of women’s work in connection with the cause of God in Old Testament times will teach us lessons that will enable us to meet emergencies in the work today. We may not be brought into such a critical and prominent place as were the people of God in the time of Esther; but often converted women can act an important part in more humble positions (Letter 22, 1911). 3BC 1140.2". This reminded me that we allow God to daily direct our lives he will place us where he needs us to be, it is not coincidence but God's timing. It may not be as great as Esther saving a nation of people, but our action could save a soul. I prayer that I am willing to keep all the divine appointments God has for me. It may not make sense now how God is leading but it all will eventually if we trust.

• Ros Farrell

  I had similar thoughts on prayer and fasting like you Gillian. Amen

• Thembie Mapingire

  Amen

• Baiba

  Amen

• debby

  we serve a God who is able.thts very true

• Jasper Mzi Skosana

  Thank you Jean for your insights. God bless you and your family and your ministry

• Nyaradzo

  earlier in Esther, we heard Mordecai looked after her as his child. Now, knowing she could die, he tells her to go before the king and she says "if I perish I perish." As Jean sees the similarity to Jesus, Mordecai is willing to sacrifice Esther and she is willing to die for her people! Yet God is not mentioned at all. No wonder the bible says its not all who say Lord Lord will be saved. There is more to serving God than just words.

• Colleen (cfinneganv)

  Beautiful thank you

• Thembie Mapingire

  Very true. Thank you for bringing that out. Amen

• kayreen

  This chapter always reminds me that am never in a place by accident for as long as I allow God to direct my steps. It also teaches me about patience and the beauty of preparation. The other lesson I get is also about the need for support from family and friends. Thank you all for the support you give to me. Am such a happy Adventist Christian. I love this family. Be blest as we study together. Thanks Jean for your blog.

• mona

  Amen

• Ros Farrell

  So true Kayreen.

• GillianMapp

  Yes the steps were ordered by God.

• Gordin Malaba

  "and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this"! I for one believe that there is always a reason to be where we are at any given time. There are souls God has an eye on to let us be there for their salvation. Let us always pray for God to reveal His purpose of our being where we are. You could be in a train, bus, plane or walking, there is a purpose for you and me there. At our work places, God has targeted someone that He wants me and you to reach out to, lets ask God to show us how to minister to them.

• Colleen (cfinneganv)

  Amen

• Ros Farrell

  May we indeed seek divine appointments each day. Amen Gordin

• Thembie Mapingire

  Amen, may we stay connected to God so he can reveal His purpose for us at every place. Amen

• Denis Lavrut

  Amen. wow, makes you think twice about the choices you make all day long.

• Gloria Mosha-Onchiri

  Amen may God help us.

• Baiba

  God help us to fulfill Your purpose for us!

• nhamo chizvaure

  I am reminded of: (Dan 3:20) And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
  For these three, salvation was in the furnace, and today Esther is faced with death if she dares go into the king's inner courts uninvited but in the king's courts is were to go for the rescue of all Jews.
  Today as we read this chapter my friends, let's know that in times to come will be faced with even worse situations than what the Jews faced under Haman but with God nothing can and will stand in our way, as long as we can take that leap of faith and trust in God as the three 3 young men and Esther did and through that will salvation to many come, may the Lord speak to us as we read everyday and prepare us enough not to shake when the great shaking comes, Amen,

• Chrstopher Nala

  "If I perish, I perish"...................the ultimate sacrifice........

• tsholofelo

  thank you sister Jean for the great comparison of Esther and Jesus Christ. The point of leaving our comfort zones and willing to go anywhere for the salvation of souls is treasured in the heavenly courts. I pray that we follow the example and be always ready to go to all lengths for the salvation of perishing souls. May God bless all of you as you put on your gospel shoes and put on the whole armour and go out into the unworked fields where the people of Gpd are almost destroyed in sin.

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