S) "20 Then Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 obliging them to celebrate the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same month, annually, 22 because on those days the Jews rid themselves of their enemies, and it was a month which was turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and rejoicing and sending portions of food to one another and gifts to the poor."
Esther 9:20-22 (NASB)
O) As this story is closing, we see everything reflected with roles reversed. Mordecai took Haman's place. The genocide of the Jews was flipped so that 75,000 of their enemies were defeated. What would have been a day of great mourning for God's people, became a great holiday. Their sorrow was turned to joy. This is the work of the LORD (even if He was not recorded throughout the book). As a matter of never forgetting, this became an actually holiday, still celebrated today. Purim is celebrated worldwide on the first day of Purim, and Jews in Jerusalem and some major cities celebrate it a second day, still.
A) I love historical traditions and longstanding culture. Part of me, reading this, wants to start celebrating Purim with the Israelites. Aside from bordering on cultural appropriation, there's another thing that causes me to hesitate. This holiday celebrates the day when the LORD saved His people, and reversed their roles. The reality is, I had that same experience when the Holy Spirit broke my pride, removed my heart of stone, and gave me a heart of flesh. More to the point, I have that same experience everyday, when I wake up and choose to be submitted to Jesus Christ as Lord. Each day, I am being saved from the wickedness of the old man, being clothes in the new man. Every day, I receive His mercies for my sins, and He lavishes grace upon me, calling me a son. So, as much as I love celebrating days like Easter, or Christmas, the truth is that everyday should be celebrated, as the day that the LORD delivered me from my sins, protected me from my mortal enemy, and reversed my fortune by calling me son.
P) Father, I am humbled here. Letting my mind dwell on Your grace, Your provision, the way You change me... all of it together is overwhelming. Your kindness and compassion toward me, even while I was Your enemy, is all the reason I could even want for worshiping You, and devoting myself to You. I confess that I have not properly responded to this grace. There have been too many days that I do virtually nothing in response to Your goodness. Even so, You forgive me and pour out grace all the more. Help me to keep my mind on Yoyr salvation. Help me to keep the proper perspective of Your grace and mercy. Let me glorify Your name, with a life of obedience, humility, and love. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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