Thanksgiving

Although I've had this poem on my blog before, it seems even more appropriate this year, with all of the enconomic trouble that we've all felt throughout this past year. I hope that along with Habakkuk, we can all say that no matter what our financial situation is or might become, God is still worthy of all our thanks and praise simply for who He is - the Creator of the universe, the author and perfector of our faith.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Ann

Thanksgiving
Ann Dunlap, May 23, 2004

“Though the fig tree should not blossom
and there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
and the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
and there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,
and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places."
Habakkuk 3:17-19


Not for what You give me, Lord,
Nor what I now may own;
Not for daily circumstance,
Nor blessings yet unknown.
Just for who You are to Me:
Redeemer, Savior, Friend,
May humble thanks flow from my heart ~
And to Your throne ascend.

Where is God in the Book of Esther?

Recently I began a new study of the book of Esther with a younger Christian woman. It's sort of a mentoring relationship, and we're studying it at her request. Esther is a book I've studied, directed a kids' choir musical about, and felt knew pretty well. I've known for years that God is not mentioned in the entire book, not once. And I've known that His hand is evident throughout the book. So what would I possibly learn from studying this book again? Well, at least I'd enjoy the fellowship, and get to enjoy watching a young woman fall in love with the book, as I had years ago.
Despite my reluctantcy, God is faithful. His Word is living and active, and can captivate the heart of the children He loves. I've heard that Scripture is like an onion, with many layers to peel back, and that you never run out of layers. How marvelously true that is. Maybe God Himself is like that, so that in Heaven we'll just keep peeling back the layers and spend eternity discovering who our God really is.
Well, I got to the part about how Esther wasn't allowed to just walk into the throne room whenever she wanted, even though she was the queen. Appearing before Xerxes uninvited brought about a fate equal to death. Xerxes was a pretty powerful dude - king over all the provinces of Persia, which numbered a little over 120. So when he called for you, you went (unless you were Vashti, and we all know how badly that ended!), and if he didn't call for you, you stayed put. Esther took her life into her hands when she appeared before him. And because he loved her, he didn't have her killed.
The Holy Spirit, who is our Teacher and helps us understand all things God, superimposed an image in my mind over this image of the unapproachable throne of Xerxes: me. Unworthy, sinful. And yet because of Christ, able to approach God's marvelous throne of grace, anytime, day or night. No fear. Total acceptance. Because He loves me.
So yes, God is in Esther. His sovereignty, His deliverance, His mercy on His people. But there's a picture of me in Esther as well - coming to my King's throne, finding mercy and grace to help in my every need, finding the love and acceptance of the awesome King of the Universe.
Thank You, Lord, for Scripture. And thank You for the Holy Spirit's teaching, even when I didn't expect it. And forgive me for not expecting it.
Amen.