For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) The story of Esther’s courage is a classic that has encouraged the saints both young and old.  King Ahasuerus established a decree that on day 13 of month 12 all Jews would be exterminated.  Queen Esther, a lovely Jewish girl, was the only hope of the Jews.  Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, pleads with Esther to make supplication for her people before the king.  Esther reminds her cousin that approaching the king without invitation would likely result in her death.  Mordecai’s reply (printed above) is a classic. By these words Mordecai is encouraging Esther to cease the moment!  She must take advantage of the opportunity.  Esther was the instrument that could be used by God to redeem her people.  In dramatic fashion Esther accepts her possible plight:  “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" (Esther 4:16)  It has occurred to me that most opportunities for doing good are not this dramatic.  Much of life is quite ordinary.  These occasions to make a difference are in every relationship: family, neighbor, nation, and church, and almost everyday we live. We often search for significance by the momentous and dramatic.  Occasionally, a sermon or song service will prompt an emotional thrill!  We rejoice emotionally when one decides to obey Christ in baptism.  Unfortunately, some love the drama of a “church fight”.  However, most of life is not that way. In our work most days are just ordinary.  Life is the same old routine!  It can be quite boring!  However, this does not mean that such times are not significant.  Every day we live still belongs to God.  It is God’s day and God’s time.  Even the “small” things can make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. Dear brethren, never under-estimate the value of your life or the power of your influence.  Even the quiet moments count for God’s service.  By George Slover

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

God employed the symbol of water flowing through a person when answering Judah’s frustration at His disregard for their fasting. “’Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen?’” (Isaiah 58:3) God answered that their calloused hearts made their worship unacceptable. God counseled “If you take away the yoke (of exploitation) from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then … the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought … and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (9-11)

Jesus offered “living water” to satisfy spiritual thirst and give eternal life. (John 4:14; 7:37) But He also promised the heart so benefited would become a conduit through which would flow “rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) Those who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ would become influenced by His Spirit to the extent they would “let this mind be in (them) that was also in Christ Jesus,” (Phil 2:5) - looking out for the “interest of others.” (4) and “esteeming others better than themselves.”(3) They would “overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) and they would let their lights shine to glorify God. (Matt 5:16)

The promise remains for us today. As living water refreshes us, we can effectively minister to others to God’s glory – allowing the rivers of living water to flow through our hearts. In so doing, we’ll be “His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14)

Brian Beck

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) True success in this world is accomplished by self-sacrifice.  Anyone who leaves their mark upon the World must lose themselves in some great cause of science, of humanity, of country, etc.  If there is any pursuit worth such a sacrifice, it is the cause of Christ.  Christians are to live to the glory of God.  They are “not their own” for they have been purchased by the blood of God’s own son. The true disciple’s heart, actions, abilities, and influence are totally given to Jesus.  All of his being, including body and spirit are to be devoted of Christ.  The Christian has no personal rights.  His life’s goal is no longer in pursuit of selfish desires, but in passionately pleasing Jesus. What gives Jesus the right to make such demands?  He has this right because the shedding of his own blood.  The Christian has been set free by one who had pity upon his enslaved condition.   God paid a high price to redeem man from his undone condition.  God delivers man from his degrading moral condition and makes make him a son! Fellow disciple you must give to God the praise and service due Him.  All that you are, all that you have, all that you can be, is under a solemn obligation to Him. Every phase of your life must be sacrificed at the altar of your Savior.  Your mission today and everyday is to glorify God!   George Slover

"We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; (Numbers 11:5)

The eleventh chapter of Numbers seems to be a chapter of complaints, first at Taberah, then at Kibroth-Hattavah in which the Israelites were harping about the manna God had provided.  Moses lifts his voice to God:  "Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? (Numbers 11:11) The catalyst of Israel’s murmuring seems to be the mixed multitude (vs.4) that had come with them out of Egypt.  God’s chosen ones sympathized with the “riff raff” rather than being grateful for what God had provided.

The source of Israel’s complaint springs from hearts that desired to go back to the past.  (vs.2)  Dissatisfied with the manna, they craved the delicacies of Egypt.  Boredom can cause God’s people to fall away.  The joy of fellowship can lose its excitement.  Fleshly pleasure, though it is accompanied with bondage, is more alluring than the monotony of faith, hope, and love.  Sin that satisfies the flesh has more attraction than the sweet word of God that satisfies the soul.  

The Lord gives us all that we need and more. (Romans 8:32)  His word shows us the way out of the pollution of the world and points us to an abundant life.  But some, out of contempt for God’s bounty, crave the things that lead to slavery.  These mal-contents passionately desire earthly gain, lament earthly losses, and show disrespect for the gifts from heaven.

God allowed Israel’s request to be granted to the extent that the meat they so desired became loathsome. (vs. 20)  When one’s heart is totally given to obtaining the coveted object, he may receive it with its just consequences.  The lust is rewarded with unstinted gratification accompanied with a reminder that that which was so desired does not fully satisfy.  Thus, the man punishes himself, the Lord providing the means of destruction.  

God not only bestows on us with the daily bread, but lavishly imparts manna for the soul.  Like Israel our daily provisions should move us to thanksgiving.

George Slover

 

Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel!" because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. (1 Samuel 4:21)

The time of the Judges is one of the most depressing periods of Old Testament history.  The early days of Samuel were no exception.  Eli, the high priest, had failed as a father.  His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, instead of being righteous leaders, possessed the character of a morally corrupt society.  Out of these surroundings, our historian briefly notes the life of a remarkably devout woman.

The wife of Phinehas, the son of Eli, gave birth to a son.  The Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines.  As this devout woman is dying, she names her son Ichabod – meaning “no glory”.  Her dying words are recorded here:  "The glory has departed from Israel!"  

The loss of the Ark was symbolic of the pitiful spiritual condition of Israel.  The Tables of the Covenant, the law that guided Israel, was lost. The mercy-seat from which Israel could be forgiven was inaccessible.  The Ark of the Covenant represented Jehovah’s favor, guidance, protection, and fellowship.  “The glory of Israel” was the enjoyment of the highest distinction that God can possibly confer- namely being God’s chosen people.

Today, God’s special people (I Peter 2:9,10) are those who have accepted Christ as Savior.  They are called to live holy lives and be committed to God’s work.  God guides them through his word.  They can receive limitless mercy through God’s son.  (I Peter 2:10)  However, God’s protection and favor can be withdrawn.

New Testament writers warned of apostasy.  When those who have known the way of righteousness, turn from the holy commandment delivered to them, the glory departs from Israel. (2 Peter 2:21)  When a local church ignores the passion or pattern God wishes for them to follow, God removes the candlestick. (Revelation 2:3)  

The presence of God should be counted our greatest blessing, his departure our most dreaded calamity.  May we do everything in our power to preserve it!

George Slover