13 March 2014 - book smarts

13 March 2014 - book smarts

As a child I used to hear from the books of my forefathers
that you, O LORD, always free those who are pleasing to you.

When Queen Esther encounters the ultimate trial of her life she is not completely overwhelmed.  She knows that there is someone to whom she can turn.  Her expectations do not come from the earthly kingdom in which she lives.  Her expectations are based on the books of her forefathers.

This is essential because she is faced with the most dire of circumstances.  She is "seized with mortal anguish".  She is taking her life in her hand.  She knows that she is alone with no one to help her.  No one but the LORD, that is.  She is afraid, but has "recourse to the LORD."  Her fear is checked by her knowledge of who God is and what he does.  The Scriptures are the source of her fortitude in the face of fear.

She believes that the LORD is a God who delivers his people, who intervenes in history, who actually cares genuinely about them.

“And now, come to help me, an orphan.
Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion
and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy,
so that he and those who are in league with him may perish.

If Queen Esther knows that God always frees those who are pleasing to him how much more ought we to know it.  She knows about Abraham, Moses, and David.  But she has no idea of the ultimate deliverance God offers his people.  This is the salvation God reveals in Jesus Christ and it is something which we all too often take for granted.  If we did not take it for granted we would be far more able than Queen Esther to face down any fear with the knowledge that our God is with us, that he loves us, and that he works all things together for the good of those who love him (cf. Rom. 8:28).

So let our expectations come from God's word, not from the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Let them be based on the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  Let us say that "we have to come to know and to believe the love that God has for us" (cf 1 Joh. 4:16), the love that he displays par excellence on the cross.  Then we will be free to ask, to seek, and to knock fearlessly.  We will know that he does not begrudge us his love.  He is a Father who does everything he possibly can for our sakes.

If you then, who are wicked,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good things
to those who ask him.

Let us look to the cross.  We, more than Queen Esther, more than any Old Testament hero will know and believe that our God is a God who saves.

Your right hand saves me.
The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.