Through the wisdom of Mordecai and the courage of Esther, the Jews were saved. However, the Jewish people had to wait a long time—several months—before they were allowed to defend themselves against their enemies. They had to trust in God for protection. God’s delays are not God’s denials. Sometimes we have to wait for God to act. We can find courage during the in-between times by remembering His goodness.
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
Have you ever noticed a name on a brass plate nailed to a park bench? Or a school named after a famous person? All around you are ways our communities honor people who have done remarkable things or whose memories they want to cherish. Find out the names of people in your area who have libraries, hospitals, streets, parks, or other buildings or structures named after them. What good things should we remember about these people?
Jewish people honor the memory of Esther’s courage and God’s faithfulness in a celebration each year they call Purim. You can honor someone who serves you or your family today. You can leave a note for the postal service worker taped to the mailbox. Or you can give a bottle of water to the person who drives the truck for sanitation services. What about your church office workers? Could you bring them a plate of cookies?
Dear Lord, help me to have courage and speak up for what is right. And help me to find courage in all the stories of people who have gone before me and shown their faithfulness in You. Amen.