Old Testament reading: Esther 1-2
Esther is the greatest inspired text regarding the providence of God. By God’s providence we mean the non-miraculous evidence of God working in the lives of men. This is how providence differs from a miracle. No faith is required to believe a miracle (Acts 4:16). Providence, lacking any tangible evidence, must be embraced by faith. Not once is the name of God found in this marvelous little book, nor is there any reference to God. Yet, we see God’s influence and handiwork throughout. Too many things “fall into place” for the events of this book to be nothing more than dumb luck or coincidence. In the opening of the book we are introduced first to King Ahasuerus and his beautiful and modest queen Vashti. After Vashti is deposed for refusing to display her beauty before the King and his drunken cohorts, Esther enters the scene as a beautiful virgin from an unimportant nation. Raised by her wise and righteous uncle Mordecai, she is chosen as queen to succeed Vashti. God’s providence is also seen in Mordecai’s discovery of a plot against the king (2:19-23). Sometimes lost in this story is how the righteousness of Vashti is rewarded with evil. We should not always expect God to protect or reward us in this life for doing good. Remember Abel.
New Testament reading: Matthew 13-15
“Jesus is the only man to ever walk on water.” Matthew 14 reminds us that there were actually two men who walked on water. Sometimes we forget that Peter also walked on water, but began to sink after he took his eyes off of Jesus and allowed his attention to be diverted to the storm and associated waves. Perhaps this is why the Hebrews writer admonished us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we prepare to face the troubles associated with living for the Lord (Heb 12:1-2). Too often we allow the storms of life to remove our eyes from Jesus. Such is a recipe for spiritual disaster. Jesus has the ability to calm life’s storms (Matt 8:23-27), but such is not necessary for our survival. Jesus did not calm the tempest surrounding Peter, but rather extended His hand to Peter and helped him (walk on water) back to the boat. When I catch myself with my eyes off of Jesus, He is still near, extending His nail-scarred to lift me up and return me to safety.
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