This morning I read the book of Esther for the first time. Esther is a Hebrew woman in Persia, born as Hadassah, but known as Esther. She became a queen in Persia. She risks her life to prevent a genocide of her people. She and the Jewish people prayed to God and fasted. God used Esther as an instrument to stop the Jewish people from being massacred. Instead, the Jewish people overpowered and killed those who hated them.
The Jews Destroy Their Tormentors
Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king’s command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.
–Esther 9:1 (NKJV)
When we pray, God can change the outcome. Those who hate us and try to destroy us, may just get destroyed themselves. There was a work situation, where a person was trying to set-up my husband for failure and ultimately push him out of his job. We prayed that God would intervene and stop whatever this person was planning against my husband. Just as in the bible, on the day the person had planned to overpower him, the opposite occurred. The other person admitted some of the things he had done and failed to do. A short time later, the other person was let go from his job. Prayer changed the outcome. God changed the outcome.
I never understand why people would want to plot against other people. I have seen how people will tell lies. Twist the truth. Lie. Cheat, Steal. It is not abrasive. It is done in a smooth manner. The people do not even know they are being deceived. I have fallen prey to a person like this in my life. It was hard to remove myself from the situation. Most the people we both know, now hate me. They believe her lies. She constantly spins webs of lies. I think that she has an evil heart. Since she can no longer control me, she wants to destroy me and all my relationships. She wants me and my family to fail and be miserable. She wants me to question myself. When I have a success, she sees it as something to squash down and tear apart piece by piece. She does not want anyone to think that I can succeed at anything. She wants me to give her as much information as possible, so she can use the tidbits of information to twist into more lies and hatred against me and my family. I am not sure if she can even keep track of her own lies anymore. It is hard to be on the receiving end of false rumors and lies. All I can do, is give it all to God.
In the book of Esther, the enemies trying to destroy the Jewish people, were in fact destroyed themselves. Does anyone hate you? Are they spewing out lies about you? Ruining your reputation? Turning your friends against you? Even taking what is rightfully yours away from you? People like this can make you feel worthless. You are not. God sees you as worthy. Don’t believe their lies. Don’t give up. You are important to God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are here for a reason. God has a plan for your life. God loves you! Pray to God for peace. Pray to God for protection. God is more powerful than any person on earth. Your enemy can never stand against God. Pray to God to change the outcome.
Prayer
Dear God,
Bless those who hate me. Protect my heart and mind from their lies and deceit and let no harm come to me. God, fill my heart and mind with peace, love and comfort. God, do not let even one of their lies slip into my heart. Lord, rebuke Satan from me. May I trust completely in you, God. You are my fierce protector. You are my almighty God.
Amen
Embrace This Beautiful Life 