Faith in Action - EmunahSample

From Dread to Delight

Have you ever woken up with a sense of panic and dread as you think of what the day may hold for you? It could be the day of a crucial medical procedure, a life-changing examination, a difficult conversation, or even a day that stirs up painful memories from our past. These are days that cause anxiety, sleepless nights, and a heavy heart.

But what if I told you that a day earmarked for despair and dread can become a time of victory and joy in your life? In the story of Esther, God transformed the day marked by the devil for destruction into a day of celebration.

Sometimes the Lord will not stop the attacks but He will use them to display His power in our lives. After Mordecai’s honour and the King’s favour towards Esther, we would probably expect for the decree to kill the Jews to be revoked. But God allowed the decree to remain untouched. He instead made a way for the Jews to defend themselves, increased the number influential people who supported their cause and made them a powerful people in the kingdom. Many times we may want God to remove some challenges from our lives, but he makes us face them, so that we may emerge as greater victors for His glory.

One important thing that we learn from this story, is that while the Jews fought off all their attackers, they did not plunder the property of their enemies. They fought to defend and protect and not to steal and plunder. When God gives us power, we have to be careful not to abuse it.

And so, the day that was earmarked for the destruction of the Jews became the day of annihilation of their enemies. It did not stop there – the Jews got an extra day to wipe out the hate that was directed towards them. When you step out into the battle trusting God, He will open more doors to completely shut down the forces of enemy.

The very day that the Jews dreaded was declared as a day of celebration and joy for them. God can do the same for you. The day or the season that causes panic and dread can be the very time that God promotes you and gives you a reason to delight and celebrate.

Reflection time:

1. Reflect on a season or day in your life that appeared to be dreadful and how God turned things around for you.
2. What is it that you dread today? Visualize how God will come through for you in this dreadful situation.

Have a little chat with God about all that you have written down.