Crumbling Walls

O. T. #1,100 "Crumbling Walls"
Nov. 20, 2017
Esther 8
And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.  Esther 8:3

LET IT GLOW

All  walls fall eventually. Down through time, great empires' walls fell, crumbling into pieces-Egyptian, Grecian, Roman, German, and Russian.
Even city walls have fallen, like Jericho. God is all powerful and can bring down walls, as we read about today. You know, people build up walls around their heart so no one can break it into pieces. They become hard and calloused. Often they lash out at others, hurting them. However, God can break down those hostile walls and slash open the hardened heart, making it soft again.

Corrie ten Boom wrote in her book, The Hiding Place, words her sister Betsie ten Boom, a Nazi prisoner said,

There is no pit so deep but that He is not deeper still. 

There is no heart so hard that God cannot change it. Corrie and Betsie endured so much during their lifetime. Thy were hiding the Jews, which the Nazis sought to kill them.
We have seen an example of this with mighty King Xerxes. God, through the lovely Esther, melted the Persian king's heart. He didn't want her, as well as hero Mordecai, and their Jewish family to be killed because he was tricked by evil Haman into making such a law. However, his hands were tied. No Persian law could be changed.

Even though the law did not change, other things changed after Haman was hung:

• Esther was given Haman's house/estate.
• Mordecai was promoted to be Prime Minister.
• The King gave Mordecai his signet ring of authority.
• Esther appointed her cousin as head of Haman's estate.

Talk about a time of promotions. No stubborn, strong will, powerful person's heart cannot be penetrated by God. Even a king as Proverbs 21:1-2 says. Granite-like stone hearts can change into putty and mush in the hands of God.

Will we go to our God in prayer when someone intimidates or bullies us, shoots us in the heart with hateful words or lies?
When their goal in life is to make our life miserable, remember that God can break down walls. He can soften hearts.

How timely these words are. I have experienced such a thing this week. Words chopped up my heart, broke it into pieces, and they were from people I respected and loved. But I am an overcomer. I am trusting God to handle the situation and the bitter people. In all my years of ministry, I have never been so crushed by condemning words. But I'm getting out of that pit with Jesus' loving arms lifting me. Jesus loves me, this I know.

LET IT GROW

Hey, Haman may be gone, but his edict was not; he may be dead, but his edict was still alive. It was written, so it will be done. The Jews would die in December. We can't skip over verse 3, ya'll.
What happened?

• Esther spoke to the king again.
• She fell at his feet. 
• Esther besought the king with tears, to put away Haman's mischief and his devise against the Jews.

In the Hebrew language, besought means to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor; to implore (move to favor by petition); have pity upon; pray; make supplication.
Devise refers to intention, plan, (whether bad, a plot; or good, advice); cunning, curious work; purpose.

Esther again humbled herself before the king, making a petition which interceded for her family. The king accepted her presence by extending the golden scepter. And the queen arose to present her request to her king.
Esther asked that King Xerxes to write a second decree to save her people, reversing Haman's Decree of Extermination.

Is this situation is a wall so thick that God cannot penetrate the wall? Is there hope for the Jews, Queen Esther, the new Prime Minister Mordecai? We will discuss the results next time.

Here are some things to ponder: Will we stand against the laws of our land that are morally wrong-abortion, homosexuality, abuse?
Are we willing to give up everything, risking our life to save others? Esther and Mordecai were willing and did. Remember, they broke the Persian laws. When God is honored, He is glorified. His love defends us.

LET IT GO

Fall at the feet of King Jesus, seek His will, laying my request before Him.
Ask for hearts to change.
Leave revenge to Him.
Stand for the right, against the wrong.