11-26-2019, 04:13 PM
THE LIVING WATER
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
TOPIC: THE BEAUTY OF CONTENTMENT
Read Esther 2:12-18
12. Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;
13. Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.
14. In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
15. Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
MEMORISE: Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her (Esther 2:15)
EXPOSITION
Contentment is something so many people, Christians inclusive, don't cherish much, today. The grab-it-all tendency is fast eating deeper and deeper into the fabrics of our society. Little wonder the level of craze for materialism at all cost. Paul's charge to Timothy, in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, clears the air on what God's attitude is to such madness. Esther was privileged to contest for the throne of the queen in a foreign land. To appear before the king, the women were given a sought of 'blank cheque' opportunity.
The contesting women 'was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women's quarters to the king's palace' (Est. 2:13). That was too open a cheque. Very few persons would not abuse such privilege. Just look at how people misbehave at serve-yourself parties. Put yourself in her shoes, having the opportunity to take from a store of great provisions, without restrictions. What would you do?
Esther chose to be different. She was contented with what she was given (v. 15). That is a display of contentment and moderation. God proved that 'godliness with contentment is great gain' (1 Tim. 6:6). How? He made the contented Esther to find the favour that crowned her above others (vv. 15b-18). That is what would happen to you if you are contented with what God gives.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, I am not interested in what You are not giving me; I will only get what You have for me, in Jesus' name.
2. Lord, help me to be contented with the small or great that You bless me with, so that I don't put myself in avoidable troubles.
3. Pray for the grace of contentment and hatred for materialism for our office holders at all levels, that would keep them madly amassing wealth at the expense of those they are to serve.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 18:28 - 20:44; James 4:8 - 5:11
Author: CAC. WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
TOPIC: THE BEAUTY OF CONTENTMENT
Read Esther 2:12-18
12. Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;
13. Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.
14. In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.
15. Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
18. Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
MEMORISE: Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her (Esther 2:15)
EXPOSITION
Contentment is something so many people, Christians inclusive, don't cherish much, today. The grab-it-all tendency is fast eating deeper and deeper into the fabrics of our society. Little wonder the level of craze for materialism at all cost. Paul's charge to Timothy, in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, clears the air on what God's attitude is to such madness. Esther was privileged to contest for the throne of the queen in a foreign land. To appear before the king, the women were given a sought of 'blank cheque' opportunity.
The contesting women 'was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women's quarters to the king's palace' (Est. 2:13). That was too open a cheque. Very few persons would not abuse such privilege. Just look at how people misbehave at serve-yourself parties. Put yourself in her shoes, having the opportunity to take from a store of great provisions, without restrictions. What would you do?
Esther chose to be different. She was contented with what she was given (v. 15). That is a display of contentment and moderation. God proved that 'godliness with contentment is great gain' (1 Tim. 6:6). How? He made the contented Esther to find the favour that crowned her above others (vv. 15b-18). That is what would happen to you if you are contented with what God gives.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, I am not interested in what You are not giving me; I will only get what You have for me, in Jesus' name.
2. Lord, help me to be contented with the small or great that You bless me with, so that I don't put myself in avoidable troubles.
3. Pray for the grace of contentment and hatred for materialism for our office holders at all levels, that would keep them madly amassing wealth at the expense of those they are to serve.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Ezekiel 18:28 - 20:44; James 4:8 - 5:11
Author: CAC. WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!