RPG Adults
GROWTH IN COURAGE
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20
Esther 9:12-14
Hebrews 10:38
"… nothing is more contrary to
faith than this drawing back..." (Calvin)
GROWTH IN COURAGE
The king received news about the death toll. In his capital city alone, five hundred of his people were killed plus the ten sons of his former prime minister. Surely the number from all the 127 provinces would total up to be far greater. Yet the king asked Esther if it was satisfactory to her and whether she had any more requests. Esther did make further requests as we saw earlier. She asked for an extension of a day for selfdefence killing, and for the bodies of Haman’s sons to be hanged in public.
Imagine having the king tell Esther that his capital city has just lost five hundred people, his former prime minister’s sons have been killed, and who knows how many more deaths in his empire — all killed at Esther’s and Mordecai’s request. There was havoc across the empire because of just one race, the Jews, her people. Considering how unwilling, timid and fearful Esther was earlier in approaching the king some nine months back, she was truly brave now in asking for more. Most people would feel really bad already and would thank the king, instead of asking for even bolder things. After asking for the people to fast, and fasting herself too, and experiencing the gracious reception by the king instead of a death sentence for approaching without being invited, Esther’s courage grew. She asked for the king to issue a reversal edict after Haman was hanged. This was tantamount to asking the king to admit to the entire empire that his previous edict was wrong. Both then and now, Esther knew that if she did not ask for more, the existence of her people would continue to be at risk. Courage grows as we experience God’s help. We may be full of fear the first time when we are faced with a big challenge. If Esther recoiled and gave in to fear the first time, she would not have experienced what God could do through her. When we obey God’s Word, we must learn to step out in faith after much prayer. If we retreat and shrink from duty, our faith and courage will not grow.
THOUGHT: Am I timid and do I give up easily?
PRAYER: Lord, give me more faith to act, so I may grow in courage.
Posted in Adult RPG
Esther 9:12-14
Hebrews 10:38
"… nothing is more contrary to
faith than this drawing back..." (Calvin)
GROWTH IN COURAGE
The king received news about the death toll. In his capital city alone, five hundred of his people were killed plus the ten sons of his former prime minister. Surely the number from all the 127 provinces would total up to be far greater. Yet the king asked Esther if it was satisfactory to her and whether she had any more requests. Esther did make further requests as we saw earlier. She asked for an extension of a day for selfdefence killing, and for the bodies of Haman’s sons to be hanged in public.
Imagine having the king tell Esther that his capital city has just lost five hundred people, his former prime minister’s sons have been killed, and who knows how many more deaths in his empire — all killed at Esther’s and Mordecai’s request. There was havoc across the empire because of just one race, the Jews, her people. Considering how unwilling, timid and fearful Esther was earlier in approaching the king some nine months back, she was truly brave now in asking for more. Most people would feel really bad already and would thank the king, instead of asking for even bolder things. After asking for the people to fast, and fasting herself too, and experiencing the gracious reception by the king instead of a death sentence for approaching without being invited, Esther’s courage grew. She asked for the king to issue a reversal edict after Haman was hanged. This was tantamount to asking the king to admit to the entire empire that his previous edict was wrong. Both then and now, Esther knew that if she did not ask for more, the existence of her people would continue to be at risk. Courage grows as we experience God’s help. We may be full of fear the first time when we are faced with a big challenge. If Esther recoiled and gave in to fear the first time, she would not have experienced what God could do through her. When we obey God’s Word, we must learn to step out in faith after much prayer. If we retreat and shrink from duty, our faith and courage will not grow.
THOUGHT: Am I timid and do I give up easily?
PRAYER: Lord, give me more faith to act, so I may grow in courage.
Posted in Adult RPG