Just do the next right thing

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Renewed hope”

Our Bible verse for today: “What reward or recognition did we give Mordecai for this?” the king asked.” Esther 6:3 (NLT)

Our thought for today: “Just do the next right thing”

This morning, I want to continue our thinking from yesterday regarding the story of Esther and Mordecai. They were in a terrible predicament and the future seemed uncertain at best. The possibility of a deadly outcome for themselves and for their people, the Jews, was very real.

In addition to the larger story of Esther becoming queen in an improbable series of events that had to have been by the hand of God at work behind the scenes, there was also an interesting subplot that played an important part in this as well. In chapter 2:21-23 we learn that Mordecai uncovered a plot to assassinate the king. He promptly notified the king’s guards and the king’s life was saved.

Then in chapter six we read that one night the king was unable to sleep (God preventing him from sleeping for a divine purpose?) and so he called for court records to be read to him until he became sleepy. It turned out that the records selected by the reader were the ones that recorded the time that Mordecai acted to save the king’s life. So, as we just read in 6:3 (above), the king wanted to know how Mordecai had been rewarded. He was informed that there had been no reward. The king then commanded that to be immediately rectified and in a highly ironic way, it was. You should read that part of the story for yourself.

Then in chapter seven, the king learns the full story and background of Queen Esther (she is a Jew and Mordecai is her cousin and guardian). He also learns that his right-hand man, Haman, has hatched a plot to kill all the Jews, which would mean the death of the Queen and Mordecai as well. At this point in the story, it’s helpful for us to realize that by their consistent demonstration of character and integrity established in many ways over an extended period of time, Esther and Mordecai were held in high esteem by the king. That was crucial to the way the rest of the story unfolded. The king believed and trusted Esther and Mordecai; he had Haman arrested and executed; and the Jews were ultimately saved.

The lesson for us here today, with respect to our theme of finding a renewed sense of hope in the middle of difficult circumstances, is that we have to continue to simply do the next right thing moment by moment, day by day, even if we don’t know how it will all turn out. That’s what Esther and Mordecai did. Just be faithful to God, do the next right thing, and trust that God is guiding your story according to His perfect plan.

When times are hard; when the future is uncertain; and when it’s difficult to be hopeful; just keep doing the next right thing and trust God for everything else.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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