Note from Joanna: I’m so pleased to introduce our guest writer today. Charity Rattray shines with the love of Jesus from the inside out and will literally give you the shirt off her back if you ask! Be sure to connect with her at the bottom of the post.
There is an art to remembering and my dad taught me well. After a sunny bluebird day on the mountain he said, “Charity, take a picture in your mind. This is one of those days you won’t want to ever forget.” The setting sun, the swirling colors across the peaks and sky, my body worn and happy. All of this is still vivid in my mind.
The beauty of the world around us often evokes this kind of amazing imagery. I’ve thought of this many times as I’ve read THRU THE WORD. God has so beautifully beckoned us to another time and another place in the final chapters of Esther.
In Esther chapter 8 we find Esther again coming boldly before the King. She confesses how Mordecai was related to her. Why, did she further persist when Haman, her immediate threat, was gone? She is not satisfied to just stop at Mordecai’s promotion, she petitions for her people. And just like Esther and Mordecai, it is often our challenge to further the Gospel, beyond our own lives.
Mordecai trusted in advance and declared to Esther that deliverance would come, whether by her or someone else. Mordecai’s faith was firm in God. What an encouragement to us! Our faith can be firm in God because He never fails to keep His promises. That is the good news we have to share with the world around us.
Esther 8-9 tells us the story of their celebration. The Jews had a dawn of new hope, light, gladness, joy, and honor, at the news of their deliverance. In their gladness they also consider others. The people give choice portions to one another and gifts to the poor. God had turned their mourning into gladness. Conversions among the people of the land multiplied at the news. Esther and the Jews avenge themselves of all adversaries and to celebrate call for an annual feast because “these days should be remembered”. (Esther 9:28)
Do you remember God’s work in your life? Do you remember a great turn around in your family story? Sometimes we think, how could we ever forget? However, Israel forgot the Red Sea deliverance:
Then they believed his words; they sang his praise. But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. (Psalm 106:12-13 ESV)
God’s works should be remembered. Share the truth, as David did:
My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. (Psalm 118:13-14 NLT)
As your family gathers together, I challenge you to tell the younger generations how God demonstrates His love for us in a personal and tangible way. It’s time to take advantage of the summer—an evening campfire, a lakeside view, or a weekend brunch. All of these are opportune moments to remember the work of Christ in your life.
How will you take time today to recall and remember the works of the Lord?
Charity had a profound love encounter with Jesus at the age of 18 and she has been serving Him wholeheartedly ever since that day! Charity and her husband, Jared founded United By Love, a tool where people of various denominations can come together with the common united mission of sharing the love of Jesus Christ. She serves at Mercer Creek Church where she is happily leading kid’s worship, summer day camp, and various church activities.
Charity lives in Washington State with her husband and four children. You can connect with Charity on her website or on Facebook. You can also email her here.