It is often repeated
‘Tis oft times said
That facing life alone
Can fill one with dread
But there is no need
To solitary face
This life that you lead
The track of your race
For there is a companion
A shoulder to upon lean
A friend and a comforter
Supportive – serene
He is the Good Shepherd
He’ll show you the way
Of green pastures and still waters
Day after day
Padre
When shadows of sorrow surround you
And no one really knows what to say
You feel loss’ burden upon your heart
And it feels that it might be there to stay
Remember your comforter is not one earthly bound
Your grief’s release shall be at the throne found
Find your brightness in His care
Remember that He and His children for you care
Padre
Night will pass
Its gloom shall be gone*
Wiped away
By the joy of dawn
Be it hardship
Or the bondage of chains
Joy shall still be our refrain**
Our troubles may seem many
But they shall subside
As with joyful expectation
In Christ’s example we abide***
For as Jesus was lifted
After His pain
We too shall be raised
And victory gain****
Padre
*Psalm 30:1-5
**Philippians 1
***Hebrews 12:2-3
****2 Corinthians 4
Thank you Pastor Vince for your message on joyful expectation.
A blindman by the roadside
A sinner in a tree
A woman with a hemorrhage
Giving her misery
While all those around them
Overlooked them – failed to see
God looked out and over them
And from their burdens set them free
Padre
When devouring hearts evil intend
When all our efforts fail to defend
There is still a place of sanctuary
Prepared to accept all and any
Who call on His name – the fortress strong
For God will protect those which to Him belong
Padre
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
With a heart not troubled
With a spirit relieved
Assured in the promise
Of blessings to receive
For a place is prepared
To which to go home
As a child of God
Before the throne
Padre
Thank you pastor Vince for the message from John 14
Many people have looked down on the book of Esther, or even questioned its place in the canon of scripture. This rests on the fact that God is not directly named or even referenced in the text. But many rabbis over time have come to the book’s defence saying that “the fingerprints of God” are all over it.
Today’s piece will not be an exhaustive study of the book, but will focus on one of those finger prints.
In Chapter we find that Esther’s kinsman, Mordecai, has discovered the minister Haman’s plan to have the Jews killed. He covers himself in sackcloth and ashes, and fasts and mourns the arrival of the edict’s enforcement. Esther, who has recently been elevated to the status of a Persian queen hears of Mordecai’s actions and sends to enquire about what it all means.
Her servant is told of the edict, and of a request from Mordecai for her to use her status to plead for mercy for the Jews of the land. In response Esther notes (verse 11) “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death . . . .”
Mordecai replies in verse 13, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 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 your royal position for such a time as this?”
The abbreviate the rest of the narrative, Esther after fasting and prayer takes the risk, and approaches the king. She is spared and indeed uses her influence, and some clever manoeuvring to achieve deliverance of the Jews, and to bring about the downfall of Haman.
You might have noticed that I have highlighted the “such a time as this” passage. It is an interesting parallel to a passage in the New Testament. The Jewish people are condemned to perish. There is little, if any hope for their rescue by any ordinary means. Yet, Mordecai calls into question the nature of Esther’s elevation. Is it a coincidence that Queen Vashti falls from Xerxe’s favour, and that Esther is selected to succeed her, just as this crisis arises for God’s people? Is not God’s fingerprint there?
The wording is also important: “such a time as this.” May I suggest that Esther is a type or parallel to the Messiah. All humanity was facing condemnation because of sin. We are condemned to perish. There is little, if any hope of rescue by any ordinary means. “But, when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4: 4-5).” We “in the fullness of time” (Such a time as this) were sent a deliverer, Jesus.
Esther’s deliverance of her people was a foreshadowing of humanities deliverance by Jesus. The book that bears her name is an important testimony of how God works. Sending salvation at an appointed time. Let’s not question this book, but marvel at God’s fingerprints instead.
Padre
We seek to find that which we are missing
And all to often the true God dismissing
We seek fulfilment with money or fame
All to relieve our longing and pain
Yet, living for fashion, some celebrity, or cause
Still lacks something if we take time to pause
For that vacuum which we do feel
Has only one source, that the space can fill
Padre
It is Easter-time again
With chocolate bunnies and marshmallow hens
But forgotten by many and remembered by few
Is the greatest miracle – God did do
For with the sacrifice of His Son
And following resurrection eternal life was won
For the grave – it could not hold
The King of Life – risen – as it was foretold
Padre
God’s blessings overflow
Jesus’ mere hem, or Peter’s shadow
Had power to heal and make whole
For over all nature God has control
He is there for our every need
If we but trust and His ways heed
Padre
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