Esther and the Providence of God

By Jeff Arnette
    The providence of God is seen throughout the entire Bible. Even though God is not named in Esther, His providence is seen. A prime example is the Lord at work to save the people of Israel through a clear timeline of events.    The story begins with Nebuchadnezzar taking Judah into captivity. This allowed for the positioning of Mordecai (Jeremiah 25:11). We see the Lord placing Mordecai exactly where he needed to be to accomplish His will. As time progressed, Mordecai’s continued presence in Babylon under the reign of three successive kings—Cyrus, Darius, and Ahasuerus—further illustrated God’s active role (Ezra 1:1-4). Mordecai remained in the precise location necessary to fulfill God’s purpose for His people, as highlighted in Romans 9:11, which speaks to God’s sovereign choice and purpose.    God’s providence is also evident in His work through Mordecai’s cousin, Esther, whom he raised as his daughter (Esther 2:7). Esther found favor with the king’s steward, Hegai (Esther 2:9), and later with the king himself, who loved her and made her queen (Esther 2:17). This favorable positioning was crucial, especially since Haman, unaware of Esther’s Jewish identity, devised a plan against the Jews (Esther 3:5-6). God’s foresight and planning, long before the events unfolded (Romans 8:28) which assures us that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.    Finally, Mordecai’s challenge to Esther to save the Jews emphasizes the Lord’s involvement, encapsulated in the phrase “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). Just as God orchestrated the events in Esther’s life, He often works in our lives long before we recognize the need. This is a reminder of God’s timeless involvement in human affairs and His precise timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Trusting in His timing and His ability to place us exactly where we need to be when we need to be there is essential, as supported by Hebrews 2:4, which speaks of God bearing witness through signs, wonders, and various miracles.    Throughout the story of Esther, we see God’s providence and His unwavering commitment to His people. Esther’s story is a testament to how God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways to accomplish His divine plans. It serves as an encouragement to trust in God’s timing and His purposeful placement of us in various situations for the fulfillment of His will.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/

God At Work

By Joe Slater       Road signs used to urge is to reduce our speed in construction zones: “Slow! Men At Work!” Political correctness forbids such gender-specific signs nowadays, but using “slow” to describe the men instead of our driving (several men leaning on their shovels while one actually works) still brings a smile to our face.     Usually, we can perceive when men are working. But what about God? Yes, God works! He worked in the six creation days, though no human was there to observe it (Genesis 1). He works in sustaining His creation (Hebrews 1:3). Our five senses don’t perceive that either.     God works when a sinner obeys the gospel, being “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:13). That’s a spiritual operation not seen by eyes of flesh.     Does God continue to work in lives after we become Christians? “It is God who works in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Once again, His working may not be outwardly obvious.     Sometimes we might think God is slow in His work. Job suffered at great length before God delivered him. Joseph spent many years as a slave and a prisoner before God exalted him as governor of Egypt. But be assured, God knows exactly what He is doing, and His timing is always impeccable. He always acts in our best interest! “The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com

It’s Not About Fish

By Joe Chesser

 

    Most all of us have told stories about fishing. If not we have at least heard fish stories. And probably most of them have been exaggerated at least a bit, haven’t they. But it’s hard to beat the fish stories in the Bible ... and they are not exaggerated! For example, the story of Jonah, or finding a coin in a fish’s mouth to pay taxes (Matthew 17).

    Have you ever gone fishing and ended up with two boat loads of fish so heavy the boats were sinking?  That’s what happened to professional fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John after fishing all night and getting skunked (Luke 5.1-11). A similar thing happened sometime later when Peter and a few friends went fishing all night and caught nothing. Someone from the shore called out to them, “”Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They did, and ended up with 153 large fish so heavy they had a difficult time hauling them to shore (John 21.1-14).

    That someone was Jesus. In both of these last two stories Jesus told the experienced fishermen to cast their nets once again into the sea. Even though Jesus was a carpenter turned preacher and not a fisherman, Peter, who was a professional fisherman, cast his nets into the sea once again just because Jesus told him to do so. “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets” (Luke 5.5).

    As exciting and entertaining as these fish stories are in their own right, these stories are not about fish. They are merely the means to help us see the incredible and amazing power of God over nature. God created a fish large enough to swallow Jonah, keep him alive for three days, and then spit him up on the beach. Incredible! God put a specific Roman coin in a specific fish’s mouth for Peter to catch on his first try so he could pay his taxes. Wow! Because the fishermen took Jesus at his word, the boats became overloaded with fish. All of these fish stories go far beyond natural law. They are so far beyond what’s normal that many skeptics question their authenticity. These skeptics fail to see and believe that these stories are not about fish, they are about God.

    It makes me wonder how many other “natural” events in our lives are like these fish stories. How many times have we been in just the right place at just the right time to receive something special (a job opportunity; a discount; help with a flat tire; a new friend; etc.)? Was it luck, or was it God? Was it “natural” or was it Providence? The word “providence” is not found in Scripture, but concept of Providence can be seen throughout the Bible for those who are open to see it. What Peter saw when his nets and boats were filled with fish helped him see Jesus as the Lord and himself as a sinner: “I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5.8). Because of the fish Peter saw the Lord. Because he saw the Lord, Jesus called him to become a fisher of men (Luke 5.10).

    What are these fish stories telling you? Are you more impressed with the abundance of blessings God gives you, or that they are calling you for a higher purpose?

- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ, Fruitland, MO.  He may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com

Living In A Palace

By Donna Wittlif

"And who knows whether you are not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14).
      Perhaps all the young Israelite women who were captives in Persia thought Esther the luckiest woman in the world. She was so beautiful that she had been chosen over thousands to be queen. She had the best house for the king's women, and she had servants to wait upon her. She indeed was the most fortunate of all women.
      But maybe all that glittered was not gold. She probably had little freedom. After all, she had not been called to go in to the king for thirty days. What kind of marriage is that? If she failed to obey the king's every wish, she probably would end up like the deposed queen Vashti, or worse.
      We don't know whether Esther was happy or not in her new role as queen. But what matters is that guided by her cousin Mordecai, she saved her people. Her act of bravery did not come without fear and trepidation. After fasting for three days, she prepared to go unbidden to see the king. Her unselfish words were, "If I perish, I perish."
      We may not live in a palace, but wherever we are, God has work for us to do. Perhaps our Father has some special task for us to perform. Special? Yes. We don't know when some kind word or deed by us will turn someone to God. That someone might become a great worker in God's kingdom.
      Who knows whether God has placed us in the right place and the right time to be of great use in His kingdom? Each one of us is important and useful to Him.

- Donna Wittlif, the founder and first editor of BulletinGold, lives in Denver, CO. Donna is also a writer of fiction. Her novels, World Eternal: Promises and World Eternal: Proselytes, and World Eternal: Perils, and her newest book, Finding Her Heart,  are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book outlets. For more information visit her website. http://www.donnarwittlif.com/

God's Providence? Perhaps...

By Steve Higginbotham

     During the first century, a runaway slave fled from the city of Colossae all the way to Rome, more than 1300 miles away.  Apparently, he didn’t want to get caught! It was while he was in Rome that he happened to hear and be converted by the imprisoned, Apostle Paul.  In a letter that Paul wrote to Philemon, Onesimus’ former master, Paul entertained the idea that this entire event (i.e. Onemisus running away, running all the way to Rome, meeting Paul, and becoming a Christian) was all a part of God’s providence. Was he certain of it?  No, but he said, “perhaps” (Philemon 15). What an amazing set of circumstances, and possibly all orchestrated by God!
     But let me remind you of something.  God’s providence is as active in today’s world as it was in the days of the apostle Paul. God still works good on behalf of those who love and seek him.
     Enter Ron and Zona Hogan. Ron and Zona are good friends of mine who live the in the remote town of Kotzebue, Alaska (take the time to look it up on a map). For years, Ron and Zona have faithfully worshiped in their home, inviting others in their small community to join them. Recently, a couple named Precio and Joseline, moved to Kotzebue from the Dominican Republic. Ron and Zona struck up a friendship with them, despite the language barrier (Englsih/Spanish).  Joseline, who was already a Christian and her husband began worshiping with and studying with Ron and Zona. Last week, Precio told Ron that he wanted to be baptized into Christ. Ron contacted a Spanish speaking friend in Texas and had her translate the words he was going to say prior to baptizing Precio.  So, Ron was able to speak to him in his native language and hear Precio say, “Jesucristo es el Hijo de Dios.” (Jesus Christ is the Son of God).
     Now, what are the odds that Ron Hogan, from Kentucky, would meet Precio, from the Dominican Republic, in Kotzebue, Alaska? Is this any less amazing than Paul’s unlikely meeting with Onesimus? Not at all.  Was this the providence of God at work today? I’ll answer that question as Paul did 2000 years ago, “Perhaps!”

- Steve Higginbotham preaches for the Karns Church of Christ in Knoxville, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://www.karnschurch.org Copyright © 2018 MercEmail 

Coincidence vs. Providence

By Adam Faughn

    There are some stories in history that just make you shake your head at the amazing level of coincidence that happens. For example, Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Lincoln, was present, as you might expect, when his father died from the wounds he sustained by an assassin's bullet. However, it is merely coincidence that Robert Lincoln was also in the larger crowd when President James Garfield was shot several years later. Garfield would die from the wounds about two months later.
    Even more amazing is that Robert Lincoln was also on his way to meet President William McKinley when he was assassinated in 1901. Lincoln was actually in the same town and on his way to meet the president when the assassination occurred.
    We are often amazed at these times of coincidence, and they are amazing. We must ask, though, is everything that happens in our life merely coincidence? Are we just living and having events happen in our lives solely by mere chance?
    For the Christian, we understand that some things in life “just happen.” On the other hand, we also know that God is still working in this world through providence. Providence is the manner in which God works through the natural forces of this world in order to bring about His will. It is often silent in the moment, but, when we look back on something, we often see God’s providential hand all over certain events that “just happened” to work out.
    Paul, when he wrote to Philemon, tried to explain why the slave Onesimus ran away and ended up where Paul was in Rome. In Philemon 15, the apostle wrote, “For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever” (emphasis added). Whether God worked this out through providence or whether it was mere coincidence was not specifically revealed to Paul, even by inspiration, but Paul seemed to indicate that he believed it was more than happenstance.
    When we realize that “for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28), and that God does not work via miracles any longer (see 1 Corinthians 12-14), do we take the time to thank and praise Him for those “perhaps” moments in our lives? They will be times of good and comfort, of joy and healing, of amazement and peace, though we may not realize His hand at work in those things until after the fact. Still, for each of them, may we give Him the glory.

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org

God's Providence

By Steve Higginbotham

    Typically, when the doctrine of God’s providence is discussed, a handful of well-known Scriptures are used to illustrate his protective care and blessings. For example, we frequently reference Joseph (Genesis 50:19-20), Esther (Esther 4:14), and Onesimus (Philemon 15), but rarely have we referenced the following passage I want you to consider.
    When Israel crossed the Jordan to take possession of the “promised land,” the nations in Canaan took up arms against them and did what they could to destroy them. The Philistines, Amalekites, Moabites, and others were constantly at war with Israel. They continually sought out ways to destroy Israel and exploit any weakness they could find. (Numbers 30:16).
    With their environment understood, consider one of the commands God gave Israel.  God commanded all the men in Israel to travel to Jerusalem three times a year to worship (Deuteronomy 16:16). Have you ever considered how vulnerable that would have left Israel? With all the men gone from all the villages, Israel’s enemies could have easily overrun these cities and villages occupied only by women and children? Three times a year, Israel made themselves vulnerable to their enemies who wanted to destroy them. Yet, there is not a single example of which I am aware, of any raid by Israel’s enemies during these times when the men were gone from their cities.
    The question that begs to be asked is, “Why not?” Why didn’t Israel’s enemies take advantage of this vulnerability? The Bible gives us the answer.  God said, “Three times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the God of Israel. For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year” (Exodus 34:23-24).
    Did you see that? The reason Israel didn’t suffer during a period of extreme vulnerability is because of God’s providence and protection. He promised that the enemies of Israel would not covet Israel’s land when the men were on their pilgrimage three times a year. Don’t you find that interesting? Doesn’t that impress you with the power of God and the control he wields in the affairs of men?
    Next time you feel overwhelmed and defeated, you need to remember that you serve a powerful God who answers prayer and promises to work on our behalf for our good.

- Steve Higginbotham preaches for the Karns Church of Christ in Knoxville, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at http://www.karnschurch.org Copyright © 2019 MercEmail 

Providence—“A Divinity That Shapes Our Ends”

By John Gipson

    The word providence is often on our lips, but we may not have a clear conception of its meaning.
    The idea is forethought. It comes from a combination of words: before and to think. Hence, forethought. The word is inserted into the New Testament by a  certain orator named Tertullus who took the lead in bringing charges against the    apostle Paul. In an effort to praise Governor Felix, Tertullus said, “Since through you we enjoy much peace and since by your provision (forethought, providence), most excellent Felix, reforms are introduced on behalf of this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude” (Acts 24:2-3). In the eyes of Tertullus, Felix was quite a man. The nation had been blessed by his providence. Felix had looked ahead, planned, and brought to pass needed reforms.
    Whatever the providence of Felix might have been, it is nothing compared to the forethought of God who planned our redemption from the foundation of the world.
    We see God’s providence throughout the realm of nature, in the guidance of the nations, and in the deliverance of Israel from bondage into the promised land.
    Benjamin Franklin said, “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of the this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
    We see God’s providence in individual lives: In David guarded from so many perils; in Joseph who could review the past and tell his brothers that they weren’t responsible for bringing him to Egypt—it was the forethought and planning of God.
    He who is truly thoughtful finds providence not only in the history of the world, but in his own personal and family history.
    He therefore has confidence in the future. If God sustained the Israelites in the wilderness so that they lacked nothing, can’t He provide for us? We need the same conviction with which Abraham spoke to his son, Isaac when he said, “God will provide . . .”        

- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert City Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY.  Lance Cordle preaches for the congregation.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com