“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28.20b)
God is amazing indeed! Even when it feels like God is absent, He is always at work behind the scenes. The Book of Esther is a great example of that. The almighty God allowed one of the 66 books that make up the Bible, Esther, not to have his name mentioned.
Although there is no reference to the name of God in Esther’s book, when someone reads it, one can clearly see the hand of God preparing a space in the kingdom for Esther to assume the position of queen and, therefore, a position of influence. Besides, we cannot fail to see the Almighty exerting influence over King Xerxes’ timely insomnia. Coincidence? Of course not.
There is no indication of God’s name there, but we can see God reversing a negative sentence against the Jewish people through Esther and Mordecai. We also see God being glorified through the honor given to Mordecai and his deliverance from death on the gallows that Haman prepared for Mordecai. Undoubtedly, the incredible reversals, and the poetic justice that led to the deliverance of the Jews in Persia all proclaim the presence of God. God is surely there! He’s there for his chosen people. Remarkably, one can notice God changing things in His people’s favor. Just as Haman plotted against the Jews to destroy them, so has Satan set himself against Christ and God’s people. Nevertheless, God shows all of us that He is in the control of all things, and He surprises us defeating our enemies using, sometimes, the same weapons he used against us. Plus, just as Haman is defeated on the gallows he built for Mordecai, so does Christ use the cross to destroy the enemy’s plan.
So, if you are going through a tough situation and you are thinking that God doesn’t see or simply doesn’t care about what is going on with you, I want to assure you that He not only knows what is happening, but He is also working it out in your behalf and His, working it all for good. As Jesus once said: ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working’” (John 5:17, NIV). So, Take heart. He’s there!
Prayer: Oh, Sovereign God, I know you have all things under control. Even when I do not see you or feel you or hear you, I am positive you are there. Your servant Job says in Job 42.2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” So, I do trust you. And I also trust your promise in Matthew 28.20 that surely you are with us always, to the very end of the age. Therefore, I decide to believe in you even when I do not clearly see you working. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
