Joy and Gladness

O. T. #1102 "Joy and Gladness"
Nov. 22, 2017
Esther 8-Part 3


LET IT GLOW

Mordecai wrote the new proclamation in full authority of King Xerxes. It was signed, sealed, and delivered to all 127 provinces in many languages.  It allowed the Jews to protect themselves, take their enemies' plunder, and the attack would only last for one day.

Mordecai left the presence of the king wearing royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and fine purple. The Jews in the city of Susa rejoiced and was glad.

How did the Jews react through the Persian  empire as Mordecai became the new Prime Minister and he wrote a new decree?
Verse 16 tells us: The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor.

So I looked up the meaning of these words in the Hebrew language as used here:
Light  means luminousness; prosperity; also, a plant (as being bright). 
Gladness refers to glee, joy, pleasure, rejoicing.
Joy as the same word with the same meaning as gladness.

Do you think the faces of the Jews lit up and their smile was a yard long? Were they dancing a jig of joy? Were songs of praise to their God heard everywhere? Did Esther hear her people celebrating after the day of confrontations was finally over. Can you just see her smile as she, too, had a grateful heart as she fell asleep?

Light is what God offers us, for Jesus is the Light of the world. He is gladness, joy, and honor of the world, also.

Romans 5:8-9 says, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Now if that doesn't get the clapper in our bell ringing, then our clapper is broken. If you are not filled with joy today, dear one, come to Jesus and He will give you something to be glad about.

LET IT GROW

And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. (verse 17b)
The word fear, as used in this verse, refers to a sudden alarm, dread, terror.

The people of Persia, who worshiped idols, recognized Almighty God working for His beloved Israel. Do you think they did not want His judgment upon them as it fell upon Haman? Nor did they want the wrath of their king upon them?

It is not our relationship with Jesus Christ that counts; it is our resemblance to Him. (Ray Stedman's The Queen and I)

Are we obeying what God has purposed for us to do, for such a time as this? This too shall  pass, so take heart and hope. The Lord steps in to make things right, just when He is needed the most. He did for the Jews and He will for us. He can heal hearts and hurts.

LET IT GO
                     ... and let God handle things in my life.
                                ... and watch God handle things.
                                ... accepting His will as mine.
                                ... showing joy and gladness in Him.