Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes - Day 05
Day 05 - Friday, June 28
Read Esther 9 & 10
Highlight
We end our story of Esther with perhaps more questions than answers and we’re left to wrestle with the moral ambiguity of Esther and Mordecai’s actions in response to their new found power. The very violence that they feared they exact on their own enemies. And of course throughout the story we see both Mordecai and Esther engage in morally questionable behavior. There’s the initial deceit of both as they hide Esther’s nationality to enter her into the King’s contest for a new Queen as well as Esther’s willingness to be used as a concubine for a Pagan King, among others. As in every Biblical story, our heroes are not perfect people, they’re human. Just like us Mordecai and Esther struggle to navigate the complexities and limitations of their own sinful nature and the brokenness of the world in which they live. What should give us great hope in light of these challenges is that God’s faithfulness is unfailing. He does not recoil at our weakness and failure, he still chooses us to make a difference in this life and in the Kingdom that’s yet to be fully realized. Unworthy as we may be, we are loved beyond comprehension and we get to be a part of the miraculous story of redemption he is writing for us all.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
Read Esther 9 & 10
Highlight
We end our story of Esther with perhaps more questions than answers and we’re left to wrestle with the moral ambiguity of Esther and Mordecai’s actions in response to their new found power. The very violence that they feared they exact on their own enemies. And of course throughout the story we see both Mordecai and Esther engage in morally questionable behavior. There’s the initial deceit of both as they hide Esther’s nationality to enter her into the King’s contest for a new Queen as well as Esther’s willingness to be used as a concubine for a Pagan King, among others. As in every Biblical story, our heroes are not perfect people, they’re human. Just like us Mordecai and Esther struggle to navigate the complexities and limitations of their own sinful nature and the brokenness of the world in which they live. What should give us great hope in light of these challenges is that God’s faithfulness is unfailing. He does not recoil at our weakness and failure, he still chooses us to make a difference in this life and in the Kingdom that’s yet to be fully realized. Unworthy as we may be, we are loved beyond comprehension and we get to be a part of the miraculous story of redemption he is writing for us all.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
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