Quiet Time Coaching Episode 484 | New Thing Series — Part 39 | “Esther’s Concern” | Malcolm Cox

Thames Valley Churches of Christ

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 484 | New Thing Series — Part 39 | “Esther’s Concern” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction

A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Esther. Today we explore Esther’s concern.

“Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.” (Esther 3:6 NRSV)

“When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went through the city, wailing with a loud and bitter cry; he went up to the entrance of the king’s gate, for no one might enter the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. In every province, wherever the king’s command and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and most of them lay in sackcloth and ashes. When Esther’s maids and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed; she sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth; but he would not accept them.” (Esther 4:1-4 NRSV)

Esther’s Concern

• Esther hears that Mordecai is dressed in sackcloth. She hears the news about his less than trendy clothing from her companions.
• At first she does not know why. But she does know it can't be very comfortable!
• She is not only concerned, but deeply distressed. Her cousin is uncomfortable. Something is wrong.
• She wants to do something about it and find out what's going on.
• She takes time and makes the effort to select clothing. We don't know how she did that. She did not have any clothes of her own that would fit him! But she sources some clothes, selects them and then persuades somebody to go and take them to him.

For Reflection

What helps you to have concern for people?

“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” (Proverbs 29:7 NIV11)

“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”” (Jonah 4:11 NIV11)

Why not take some time today to ask God to awaken concern in you that leads to practical help for someone?

Conclusion

I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

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"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

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