Sometimes the Good Guys Don't Win! (Esther 3)

Sometimes the Good Guys Don't Win! (Esther 3)

Esther 3.1 After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him. [nkjv]

A few years ago I went with a friend to see Final Destination 3. I had no idea what I was in for. I tried closing my eyes but the sounds of teenagers screaming as they were systematically shredded, diced and splattered all over the big screen conjured up all sorts of pictures in my imagination. At one point in the movie, I tried using my jacket as a blindfold, which enabled me to use my hands to cover my ears. All was working great until I realised that I had no idea when it was safe to come out of my cocoon. Unfortunately for me I'd always pick the worst possible moment, just when some poor soul was about to meet death head on.

The more spiritual among us would suggest that perhaps I should have walked out and got my money back or maybe I should have asked myself 'what would Jesus do?' before purchasing the ticket in the first place. I think curiosity got the better of me and once I was in there, I had to stay. I needed to know that the hero would prevail and there would be a happy Hollywood ending after all.

But it never happened!. There was no happy ending. The good guys didn't win. In fact I think they all died horribly! I left the cinema feeling cheated, violated and in need of a 'Touched by an Angel' marathon to wash away the pictures now embedded in my brain.

The Bible says that after the events of chapter 2, where Mordecai saved the kings life, it was Haman who got a promotion. An ungodly man moved ahead and the hero was forgotten. Hayman was a direct descendant of Agag, King of the Amalekites, Israel's sworn enemy. And he was the one getting the promotion!

Sometimes it seems like the good guys just don't win.

I've lived through times like this. You do your best each day to live according to God's Word and your prayers still go unanswered. You tithe faithfully yet you see no blessing, while your non-Christian friends, who have no desire for God whatsoever, seem to be enjoying the fruits of their success.

It makes no sense whatsoever. God are You even there? Do You care?

But the one thing I have come to learn in my life is that despite what is happening around me, God can be trusted. I don't even try anymore to work out 'why' things happen. I just trust Him. He is on this journey with me. He was there at the start and He will be there at the end. I trust that He knows what is happening and why it is happening. He has His reasons for doing what He does. Who am I to question Him?

My only responsibility is to keep doing what He has asked me to do for as long as He needs me to because I know that I will reap a harvest in due season, if I don't lose heart.

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Sometimes Jesus Does Nothing (Mark 4)

Sometimes Jesus Does Nothing (Mark 4)

Mark 4.37-38 And a furious storm of wind of hurricane proportions arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Jesus] was in the stern of the boat, asleep on the leather cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? [amp]

Without warning, the peaceful calm of the Sea of Galilee can be transformed into a violent raging storm which can quickly turn deadly. A storm in March 1992 sent 10ft high waves crashing into downtown Tiberias, causing massive damage. I read a story yesterday about a tour group crossing the Sea of Galilee, when suddenly the wind, rain and waves began to kick up. A young man on the boat thought “What would Jesus do?” and stood up to rebuke the storm. When he spoke out, “Peace, be still” the rain and wind kept coming but the engine of the boat immediately cut out.

Sometimes when we pray things get worse. And sometimes God seems silent. Almost like He's asleep at the helm.

I've been through my fair share of storms. One in particular, really stands out to me. I was doing all the right things for all the right reasons, when all of a sudden I found myself in the middle of chaos. People I had trusted turned on me, our finances dried up and doors of opportunity, which were once wide open, now seemed nailed shut. And through it all, God seemed strangely quiet.

I did what the disciples did. I worked harder, using every ounce of strength and skill I had just to stay afloat but nothing helped. I prayed. I fasted. I looked for answers in Scripture but found nothing. I could feel my frustration and anger giving way to bitterness. "God don't you even care?"

The disciples got into the boat that day only because Jesus told them to. Jesus was the one responsible for leading them into a storm and then when they needed Him the most, Jesus was fast asleep!

I wonder how long it took the disciples before they decided to wake Jesus up? How exhausted were they before they came to the realisation that this was a battle they could not win?

Not every storm we face is a devilish scheme aimed at our destruction. But sometimes God invites chaos around our life simply to remind us that no matter the size of the storm, we are never alone. Jesus is in the boat with us.

Instead of coming immediately to our rescue, He lovingly waits. He waits for us to stop striving and doing things in our own strength. He waits for us to come to Him and tell Him how much we need Him.

He waits.

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God Never Forgets (1 Samuel 1)

God Never Forgets (1 Samuel 1)

Samuel 1.20 So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying "because I asked for him from the Lord." [nkjv]

These are so many thought going through my head after reading this chapter. But the one thing which stands out the most to me has to do with Elkanah and Hannah's relationship with each other and God. They didn't allow difficulty to tear them apart but rather it was something which brought them closer together and as a result were able to see God's blessing on their life through answered prayer.

They knew what they had to do and just got on and did it regardless of whether God came through or not. And in 'the process of time," God remembered.

They continued year after year offering sacrifices of thanksgiving to the Lord even though their prayers went unanswered. They continued attending 'church' and presenting their offerings despite corrupt leadership. Rather than focus on more fruitful relationships, Elkanah continued to love his wife through words and actions throughout the ordeal, going the extra mile. Rather than let bitterness take over her heart, Hannah came before the Lord and gave it to Him.

They walked in agreement with each other throughout this time as Elkanah, according to Numbers 30, had the ability to nullify Hannah's vow, yet didn't, even at the prospect of giving over his son to corrupt priests. He demonstrated his trust in God and his wife by remaining silent.

Even after doing all the right things for the right reasons, and even after receiving a promise from God via the High Priest there was still a process of time which had to occur before they saw any fruit. These are very faithful people.

God please help me to be the sort of man who can continue to lead my family and love my wife despite any difficulty which may come our way. Help me to walk with integrity and patience. Never let me forget that 'in the process of time,' You will remember us and the promises You have made to us.

This is what I got from 1 Samuel 1. How about you?

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