Summary of Esther: Through His providence and in keeping with His promises, God places Esther and Mordecai in positions of power to preserve His people and punish His enemies.
Genesis 3:15 (ESV) – And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
Big Thought: God’s is always driven by His to His people for His glory.
1. What is God’s ?
a. Providence is the act of providing for or and the universe by God.
b. God is often , but God always and is always .
The Heidelberg Cathechism on the providence of God: The Almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth, with all creatures, and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.
The Heidelberg Catechism on how the knowledge of God’s providence helps us: We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from His love. For all creatures are so completely in God’s hand that without His will they can neither move nor be moved.
2. In God’s providence, a situation brought about by choices creates amazing .
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) – The heart of a man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (HCSB) – A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.
God can bring and out of the worst of circumstances.
Romans 8:28 (NASU) – And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Even the of life can’t God’s keeping of His promises.
Isaiah 14:27 (ESV) – For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?
Job 42:2 (ESV) – I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
3. God’s providence includes His .
a. in spite of a difficult .
b. even in circumstances.
c. amid intense .
d. in where God has us in life.
4 Lessons to Thrive under God’s Providence:
1. Persevere in doing .
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV) – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
2. Seek to honor the Lord.
Disobedience is much than obedience.
Colossians 4:5 (ESV) – Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
3. Be for God to work.
James 5:7-8 (ESV) – Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
4. Seek to be a to others – even those who don’t it.
Genesis 12:3 (ESV) – I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Big Thought: God’s is always driven by His to His people for His glory.
Without God’s there is no .