Esther 4:1 – 3 “When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”
I can’t even begin to imagine what Mordecai, or any of the Jewish people, felt when they learned of this decree. I’m sure they felt terrified, devastated, and confused. They probably felt abandoned by God. I can certainly understand their loud weeping and wailing.
Have you ever felt abandoned by God? That’s okay. Weep and wail if you need to. But don’t lose hope! God has a plan for your life, and He will never abandon you. He will be right there for you in the midst of your mourning, just like He was there for the nation of Israel. We know what they did not – God had a plan, and it was already in place. Esther was already on the throne.
Many people, when they feel abandoned by God, choose to turn their backs on Him. But remember, God will never abandon His people. I’m so impressed with Mordecai. Even when feeling abandoned by God, he didn’t reject God. He knew where to turn when there was trouble. God directed him, he acted, and eventually Esther was able to fulfill God’s plan to save the Jewish people.
Do you feel like your world is coming to an end, my friend? Do you feel like weeping and wailing? You may feel that He has abandoned you, but He is there. As a matter of fact, He knew of your situation long before you did, and He has been making plans to make things turn out for your best in the end.
So while you are waiting for His plan to play out, go ahead and weep. But don’t lose hope. He will comfort you, and give you strength. He will lift your head, and help you to soar through your situation.
Isaiah 40: 27 – 31
Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Dear Father, Thank You for being there in the darkest times of my life. I know that I can always trust You. I know You will always turn things around for my good, as long as my hope and trust is in You.
Amen
Thanks for the encouragement and keep up the faithful work : )
Love
Jana
Yet again, I am waiting for a plan to play out, and hoping to be soaring very soon!!
When I think about trusting in God and handing things over to Him, I often worry about the people who don’t know God, either through ignorance or steadfast refusal. What do they do in times of trouble or crisis? Where do they go?
At even the slightest hint of something not going right, God is my first thought. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to think you are completely alone in a bad situation. I’m going to pray that today just one person in trouble turns to God and finds peace.
Thank you, Jana! Mom and I were just talking about you yesterday. Were your ears burning? Miss you, my friend!
Jackie, I have had the same thought. I have loved God since I can remember. What do people do without Him? Where is the hope? I will join you in that prayer.
–r
I can say Amen! to that. Many times the Lord has held me up when the world came crashing down around me.
Thanks, Renae.
Jean
Me too, Jean. More times than I can count.
Dear Renae,
you are quoting some of my favorite passages from Isaiah.
He’s the comforter above any. I am among those who make underlinings and remarks in my Bible. The book of Isaiah is a rainbow of colors and dates in which I have found comfort and blessings.
What a treasure the scripture is, what a well of wisdom and strength.
I like it when mother of the lot “says “where do they go in crises?”
Jesus sure is not only for Heaven, but an equal heard here on earth.
From Felisol
Felisol, Isaiah is one of my favorites, too. My favorite chapter is chapter 55 – especially the ending. 🙂