Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred; the Jews gained master over those who hated them. Esther 9:1

It was fully expected that the Jews would be destroyed. Evil Haman had set in motion a plan of destruction. But in a twist of irony, and because of the character of Mordecai and obedience of Esther, God overrode evil and instead protected His people, making it effective the very same day they expected to be attacked. So instead of a terrible day, it was a day of rejoicing.

Humans like to have an idea of what is coming. We like to have a sense of control over ourselves and our destiny. As I write this, Americans are coming up to Independence Day. It's a day we take pride in our freedom. But I struggle with whether it is biblical to be independent. There doesn't seem to be scriptural basis for living life "my way" or without depending on others in a healthy, community type way. In our struggle for independence we want control, but no one has full control over their lives.

Every one of us could relate an instance in our life when what we thought was coming didn't, or what we didn't see coming did. Sometimes, these are wonderful surprises, like a couple struggling with infertility finding out they are expecting. Or a surprise visit home from a soldier. Or a great job offer that wasn't even on the radar a few months before.

Along with that come the sad things, like my dad passing away in his sleep while my son slept with him camping. Or the tragic parasailing accident that just this week took a former co-workers young son-in-law all too soon from his wife of two years. Or being told, "I'm sorry, but we are having to let you go from this job," or the "I don't love you anymore" statements that rock you to the core.

Why, in this case, did God decide to do a miracle, when it appears He doesn't do the same thing in other cases? I really don't know. All I can say is that we live in an unbalanced, evil world, that also is full of grace, love and truth if you look for it. I don't think God's first choice would be that Adam and Eve would reject His command. I also don't think He wanted to force them to obey. We blame God when things go wrong, but perhaps in some cases, He didn't cause it...it was a result of a culmination of sinful choices in our world. Yet, He does have the power to step in, and He did in the story of Esther.

I think God actually steps in more often than we give Him credit for...it just may not be in the way we want or expect. Like the times that true friendship shines and bonds because of intervention in a time of crises. Or discovering a brand new place to work and serve that would never have been considered if not for the current layoff. Or the new love found after the first spouse has gone home to heaven. So many people can give testimony of new strength, new love, new discoveries when they expected only negative things to happen.

So, today, open your eyes in that situation that seems hopeless. Or maybe not hopeless, but frustrating. There just may be a quieter way the God is intervening, to support, and rescue you in ways you may not expect.

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How has God intervened in your life in an unexpected way?

In chapter 8, some excitement occurs in the story of Esther. It is at this point that the king makes a decision to "approve" Esther's request that her people, the Jews, be saved from destruction. Isn't that great?

Yes, but...

What if the king's scribes didn't respond quickly to write the edict? (v. 9)

What if people didn't know all the individual languages, to be able to write in that language, for all the various provinces? (v. 9)

What if the "sealing" of the edict hadn't happened properly, to affirm the authority of the command? (v. 10)

What if the person who "wrote in the name of the king" didn't accurately portray what the king wanted? (v. 10)

What if the mounted couriers didn't speed to deliver the news? (They didn't have email or Facebook back then.) (vv. 10, 14)

For that matter, what if those who took care of the horses did a sloppy job, resulting in sluggish, overweight horses that couldn't gallop? (It is noted that these horses were of prime pedigree.) (v. 10)

What if a specific date (the thirteenth day of the twelfth month) hadn't been specifically chosen? (v. 12)

What if copies weren't quickly made (they didn't have copiers) so all provinces could get the same message? (v. 13)

The Jews would have died.

Do you see how important good administration, training, and teamwork is?

In Esther 7, Queen Esther finally has to "step up to the plate" and state that Haman was the man behind the evil plot against the Jews. When we read this book, we know the ending, so we may fail to remember her precarious position. Just because the king has looked in favor on her doesn't mean he will continue to do so. He could just as easily turn on her once she accuses a man who is in his inner circle. But, in obedience to a higher calling, she states the truth.

We may not be often called upon to state the direct truth about a situation in front of the person that it could affect (except, I suppose, if we are called to the witness stand in a court of law.) Even so, we may have to face the truth of a situation and for the good of all involved, deal with it appropriately.

For example. Let's say that you hang around with several friends and one routinely likes to stray into gossip about other people. You know it is bringing the relationships down, but no one is comfortable lovingly confronting this friend. One of you--maybe you--will have to be brave enough to "speak the truth in love" if his/her behavior causes division, distrust, or negativity. When you have to, remember the example of Esther:

What happens next is not pleasant. Haman is hanged on his own gallows. I trust your situations will never have to come to that! But Esther's example is that the relationship was severed, because it was not a good relationship. Period. In rare cases, you may have to accept a severed relationship if it is better to not associate with those who tear down your walk with God. Hopefullly, though, in most cases, your kind but direct approach when you sincerely feel God is calling you to it, will lead to a deeper, and healthier bond.

Note and warning: this post is not to encourage you to criticize and judge all your friends for every mistake they make, or to elevate yourself above them. I am suggesting instead that if a pattern of poor behavior is evident, and has a negative affect on you or others, you may in great humility have to handle the situation with a direct, in person, conversation. This should always be done in love and with a listening ear and humble heart.