The Faith is Not Snuffed out

3Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.^a ”

5King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”

6Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!”

Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

8Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.

The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits^b stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!” 10So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. (Esther 7) 

Thoughts: Haman had tried to kill all the Jews, but in God's providence, he was killed instead.  The Feast of Purim, still celebrated today, reminds the Jews that God providentially saves them.  There have always been those who have tried to exterminate the people of God or at the very least snuff out the faith.  The list is long and this is incomplete- the Agagites (1300 BC), the Philistines (c. 1000 BC), Baal worshipers- like Jezebel (c. 850 BC), the Assyrians (725 BC), the Babylonians (586 BC), the Romans (70 AD), the Muslims (700 AD), Hitler (1934-44), The Palestinians (1948, 1967, 1972),  For Christians there were three major Roman persecutions meant to snuff out the faith.  Today more Christians die for the faith than ever before.  In the secular West the effort is to just keep Christians from practicing their faith publicly- to hush it up or regulate it to church on Sundays.   The faith still survives. 
    There are articles in The State paper about the demise of Christianity in America.  While the faith has faced a decline (mainly from nominal worshipers), still over 72% claim Christianity as their faith in America today.  Where the faith has been faithful and trying to reach people for Christ, the church has grown (where it wants to be comfortable and only culturally relevant- it fades).  Christianity is still the fastest growing (in number, in number of countries reached in overall percentage of adherents) of any other religion- including atheism or new age religion.  

Prayer: Lord, give me confidence in the 7,000 who still have not bowed the knee to Baal in my area.  Help me to work with other believers for your glory and honor.  Let me rely on your salvation to save me and others 

What is Done for the Man the King delights to Honor

1That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

3“What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked.

“Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered.

4The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him.

5His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.”

“Bring him in,” the king ordered.

6When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?”

Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” 7So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’ ”

10“Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

12Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.

Thoughts: The King honors Mordecai- but not just the king of Persia- the King of Kings honors him for his faithfulness.  Haman was the Prime Minister of the mightiest empire of his day (Persio-Media) and he sought to punish Mordecai for not bowing to him- and to not stop with Mordecai but to kill all the Jews.  But God had already been protecting them.  He had allowed Mordecai to overhear a plot against the king and to stop it.  The king did not honor Mordecai then, but he couldn't sleep one night and read how Mordecai had saved him.  Providentially and ironically (God has an ironic sense of humor some times), Haman who sought to kill Mordecai for not honoring him had to honor Mordecai.  The tables did not just turn a little bit, but completely.  Haman's pride thought that he was the one who should always be honored.  In humility, we should always seek to honor God above all- and others above ourselves.  In the end, it is the Judge and King of all the earth who honors the right people- for He sees to the heart.  This story is a good illustration of the importance of God being a judge and governing in the everyday life of people.  

Prayer: Lord when I reach the end of my rope, please help me. In your providential love, save me and watch over me. 

 (Peter Lastman 1624)

Identifying with God

6So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate.7Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

9Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

12When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

15Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4) 

Thoughts: Haman the Agagite was basically the prime minister of Persia.  He was mad that he felt like he didn't get the honor he deserved, so he wanted to force Mordecai to bow to him- and for that matter all the other Jews.  The Israelites were told to wipe out the Agagites but they did not.  Now Haman the Agagite has gotten the king to make a decree for genocide of the Jews.  Mordecai was Esther's cousin who adopted her and took care of her.  He now asked for her help.  Mordecai and Esther had hidden her identity up to this point from all the Persians.  But now it was time for Esther to stand up for her God and her people.  She was put as queen for such a time as this.  Esther had a choice.  She could try to be queen without mentioning her ancestry or she could associate with her people and her God- and risk death.  She chose to risk death right away in order to meet with the king to soften his stance toward the Jews.  She knew there was something worse than death- and that is meaninglessness, faithlessness, having no real identity.  Many people act like they are a Christian at times and then act like they are not others.  But some times we need to stand up for God and identify with Him. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to stand for you when the time comes.  

Esther becomes queen

15When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. 16She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

17Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18And the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality. (Esther 2) 

Thoughts: Xerxes, the king of Persia who was defeated by the Greeks at Salamis, deposed his queen Vashti because she refused to parade in front of his dinner guests.  He had a beauty pageant to determine his next queen, and Esther won.  She was intelligent and beautiful, but also God had a plan for Xerxes and for his people.   Esther may have thought that she simply won a beauty pageant and became queen, but God wanted to put her in a special place to save His people in their time of need.  So God has a purpose for each one of us.  He places us in position to do some good that no one else can do. 

Prayer: Lord, let me find your purpose and calling upon my life.  

Daniel's Great Prayer

1In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes^a (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian^b kingdom— 2in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

4I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

7“Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. 9The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 12You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. 13Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. 14The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

15“Now, Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

17“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” (Daniel 9)

Thoughts: The prayer at the very end of the Bible is "Come Lord Jesus."  It is a prayer based on the prophecies of scripture (found in ever major book in the New Testament) that Jesus will come back. 
In this passage we see that Daniel has been reading prophesies of scripture- specifically Jeremiah's prophecy (25:11, 29) that the people of Israel will be brought back to the land after 70 years.  He doesn't just pray- "may it be so."  He agonizes over what might keep the people from not coming back to the promised land.  This is an outline of his prayer:
1) We are covered in shame (5-8)
2) We deserved God's judgment (9-14)
3) We confess our sin (15-16)
4) Asking God to answer prayer for His people for His glory (17-19) 

I have always found two important points: 1) Daniel was not the sinner, but he says, "WE have sinned."  It is important that Daniel associates with his people- they are a team- even if they have only lost.  We should pray for our churches like this.  We do not blame- and shift blame to others- they did this.  This divides the church and fuels an air of superiority (that we could blame another- and act innocent).  Keller rightly says anger and unforgiveness is always fueled by pride.
2) He asks God to answer for His name's sake- for His glory.  This is similar to Jesus' saying, "Thy will be done." Our prayers are ultimately not for our comfort but for His glory. 
     More prayers like this need to be said.  

Prayer: Lord, we have sinned.  We are mired in a mess of apathy toward you and foolish self-sufficiency.  So many have forsaken you and it shows.  There is crime, violence, drug abuse and death, the devaluing of life on so many levels, hatred and discord.  Even in your church there is selfishness, pride, and division.  We have sinned.  We have blown it.  We forget how you hate sin and we are therefore covered in our sin and shame.  O Lord, bring forgiveness and mercy to our land.    

Draw us again back to you for your name's sake.  Glorify yourself through our people who came here to escape persecution of many kinds.  

Prayer and Daniel

 7The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9So King Darius put the decree in writing.

10Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

16So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

17A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

 19At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

21Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

26“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God

and he endures forever;

his kingdom will not be destroyed,

his dominion will never end.

27He rescues and he saves;

he performs signs and wonders

in the heavens and on the earth.

He has rescued Daniel

from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6) 

Thoughts: One of the requirements of a prophet of the Lord was that he/she stayed close to God.  Daniel showed he read the scriptures (quoting Jeremiah in Daniel 9:2 and other quotes from the first five books).  But Daniel also was a man of prayer.  He didn't pray just silently or in his closet.  He prayed so much that his enemies knew it.  They saw it as his weakness, but Daniel knew it was his strength.  For every believer prayer is our lifeline to God. Out of their jealousy of Daniel's success and blessing they sought to have him thrown into the lion's den.  But Daniel prayed (as was his custom) and an angel shut the mouths of the lions.  When Daniel was drawn out his enemies were thrown in and the lions ate them without hesitation.  The content of Daniel's prayer is unknown an unimportant.  But Daniel would doubtless pray. 
    if you look up how to survive a lion's attack you will find- 1) Don't Panic, 2) Don't Run, 3) Back away slowly- facing the lion.  But if you look hard enough they will be honest and say there is almost no way to survive a lion's attack if they want to eat you.  The missing ingredient in Wikihow is what Daniel used- prayer.  Even the king recognized God's hand and proclaimed that all people should pray to Daniel's God- for He rescues and saves.  The point of this passage is not that Daniel was saved.  It was that God was glorified- and throughout the whole known earth.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in you, and not flinch back.  

Sermon on Daniel 6: 

The Writings on the Wall

22“But you, Belshazzar, his son,^d have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

25“This is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN

26“Here is what these words mean:

Mene^e : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

27Tekel^f : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.

28Peres^g : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

29Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

30That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians,^h was slain, 31and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.  (Daniel 5)

Thoughts: "The Writing's on the Wall" is an expression meaning that time is up- and the end of your comfort is near.  God knows the future and controls it.  Belshazzar was a secondary ruler of the city of Babylon, and did not know how to rule with fairness.  The army of the Medes and Persians were outside the gates and he ordered a huge party.  He treated the vessels of the Temple with contempt.  Daniel also reminded Belshazzar that he did not humble himself and honor the true God.  Therefore God put an end to his time, his imbalance of evil, and his kingdom overall.  Never again did Babylon rise.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to honor you.  Give me grace to live a content and humble life.