Even though God's name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, His sovereignty is on clear display. Time and again Satan has tried to destroy the people of Israel because he knows that they are God's chosen people. But despite his best efforts, they still remain alive today. Our Esther passage is another example of an attempted holocaust "gone wrong". And talk about a reversal - the people of Israel went from the possibility of outright extinction to enjoying prosperity and power with Mordecai as second in command only to the King. God has continued and will continue to preserve a remnant of His people.
In our NT passage we see that, comparatively speaking, few people will be saved.
23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
My Life Application Bible says....
Finding salvation requires more concentrate effort than most people are willing to put forth. Obviously we cannot save ourselves - there is no way we can work ourselves into God's favor. The effort we must put out "to enter through the narrow door" is earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow him whatever the cost. We dare not put off making this decision because the door will not stay open forever.
Not everyone is willing to pay that cost. But what they don't realize is that the cost of not paying it, is far greater. Unfortunately, for many, that knowledge will come too late.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: Haggai 1-2; Luke 14:1-24
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I pray that we are willing to fight the battles and make the choice everyday to enter through the narrow door.
Luke 13:30
And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
This verse from our New Testament reading follows along with the storey of Mordecai from our Old Teatement reading, who was one of the least and became great.
The reading in Esther is proof that the battle truly belongs to the Lord. Mordecai would not have been able to save himself or the other Jews, just as we cannot save ourselves.
The entry door is narrow, but I pray that my thoughts and efforts will be put into that and not into frivolous things that are only temporary.
And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples.
One day it will become painfully clear that God is sovereign.
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