How God answers prayer is necessary Information!
Why do YOU seek to apply God’s Word in a consistent, habitual way? I have learned: It takes time, motivation & effort to get the best results.
Why do YOU attempt to live by the principals God puts forth in Scripture? Why I try my best: I have given my life to Christ! I live for HIM! [integrity]
ALSO…I recommend a serious focus on God’s Word and a life of Christ Discipleship…For the health and vitality of your eternal soul
It requires life application of Scripture to surrender our souls to Christ Jesus… And once that happens our soul is now eternally linked to God by HIS Spirit in YOU. So I encourage YOU to intentionally create disciplines of study and application of both the Old & New Testaments. YOU can [and I would argue MUST] learn how to walk, connect, be led by, be disciplined by and have a right relationship with God. [Biblical Christianity] YOU & I NEED that relationship to navigate the life HE has placed us in. We do well to learn Scripture’s principals and live by them as though they were essential to our survival.
Treat this sermon the same way, as life-giving nutrition for your eternal soul.
FOCUS / TAKE NOTES / HIGHLIGHT / TAKE PICTURES / REREAD IT ON WEB
This kind of approach to the Word has gotten me through some serious crisis
Esther Pt. 5 Chapter 5
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
- After three days of fasting & praying to the God of Israel, the God of her fathers
- She had no doubt been taught by Mordecai and others how to seek God
- She knew how the drill went, she did what she should do and trusted God
- She gave her best presentation & stood where she could be seen [didn’t rush]
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” 4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”
- ‘What is your request? Even up to half my kingdom, it will be given to you.’
- Who does that remind you of? Kings may think they rule… Pride
- Esther, very graciously, does not press the issue but puts off the request
- It seems what she heard God saying was: ‘Wait on Me’
- God’s answers to prayer mostly fall along the line of Yes, No or Wait
- God has HIS reasons for how HE answers prayer and they are beyond us
5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
- Haman is summoned…It seems like the king is in full ‘Please Esther’ mode
- After some niceties, small talk & wine consumption Xerxes puts her on the spot
- Xerxes repeats his offer to fulfill Esther’s request, up top half the kingdom…
- We would think now is the time for her request: Stop the order to kill the Jews!
7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
- Why does she stretch this out…some more…she is still waiting on Yahweh
- If you wish to grant my request, come tomorrow for another banquet
- THEN I will make my request
- She is giving God time to act [HE has not told her to act yet]
9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.
- He leaves the palace feeling like someone important… [Pride being fed]
- Mordecai didn’t make Haman feel important…he wanted Mordecai to fear him!
- Haman is enraged yet does not act…God is controlling the action
- He will go home and figure out what to do
Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow.
- Haman tells his would be sycophants & yes men just how powerful he is
- Looking for affirmation and praise… ‘Do you all get get what a big deal I am?’
- Even Queen Esther thinks he’s a big deal… she invited him into her inner circle
13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” 14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.
- But he can’t enjoy all these honors and privileges…Mordecai ruins them!
- Haman’s ego: it needs to be appeased…it flows from Pride…Satan’s best tool
- The wife leads the advice squad telling Haman: ‘Go ask the king to kill him!’
- Haman sets up the impaling pole & set plans to go see the king first thing
Cliff Hanger! What is God up to? Stay Tuned…
Life Application Of Scripture
Part of seeking God is consistently focusing on the things YOU know YOU are meant to do and trusting God will guide before you have specific instructions.
When YOU are in times of need and crisis, learn to give God the time to do what HE wants to do. ‘Wait on the Lord’ as His patient servant and don’t rush HIM based on your fleshly desires.
Be watchful for God’s moving then obediently join as HE calls you to act based on HIS Word. [Effective watchfulness requires community]
Pride is the ultimate ‘Gateway’ to evil. Because of their pride, the devil and those he controls are so self-absorbed they always ‘Overplay their Hand’.