GPS Guide – January 14, 2019

STRENGTH AND DELIVERANCE

Monday

Read: Esther 2:5-7

“Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin, king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” (NIV Esther 2:5-7)

Study: In this passage, we are introduced to Mordecai, a Jew whose ancestors were forced into exile by the Babylonians. He was now living under the Persian empire. Part of being Jewish meant that he lived life differently than other peoples of the day. A Jew would have eaten different foods, observed different holy days, and dressed differently. It was hard to be truly Jewish in a foreign land because of these things. Do you feel like you can’t be fully Christian at times in your life? Jews and Christians alike spent much of their history in places where they could not easily practice their believes because of the culture around them, yet they still managed to keep their beliefs alive. Do not let the world around you quell the fire of your faith. Instead, use your faith to transform the world.    

Prayer:  Almighty God, give me strength to always follow the path you have laid before me. I give you thanks for your love. May I show others that love. Amen.