The people are saved
Day 311, Wednesday, June 18
Esther Chapters 6 – 10
As King Xerxes is waiting for Esther’s banquet, he has trouble sleeping and asks that royal records be read to him. One of the things read to him is the way that Mordecai had prevented his assassination.
That led Xerxes to ask how Mordecai had been honored for that service. When he learns that nothing had ever been done, he asks Haman how he should honor someone who had done him service.
Haman thinks that he himself will be honored, only to find out it is his enemy, Mordecai.
In an ironic twist, Mordecai receives the honors Haman had planned for himself, and Haman receives the brutal execution he had planned for Mordecai.
Esther identifies herself and Mordecai to the king as Jewish and asks that they and their people might be spared. The king replies that the royal edict instructing people to attack the Jews cannot be reversed, but issues a new edict allowing the Jews to gather to defend themselves.
In the conflict that follows, the Jews effectively defend themselves, killing many of their attackers and also Haman’s sons.
Queen Esther then orders that the saving of the people be remembered as the festival of Purim, which is still celebrated.

Wednesday meditation

Proverbs 30:29-31
“There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing: a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king secure against revolt.”

Prayer focus
Lord, let us serve always with humility.

-Rev. Mark Fleming