If I Perish, I Perish (also see note about Wednesday May 17)
If I perish, I perish.
That phrase speaks volumes when you stop to consider what it really means. Last week at the Get Closer bible study we mentioned the story of Esther. We find this story in the Old Testament in a most likely place, the book of Esther. Yes, she managed to have a whole book about her in the Bible. Here is the Kevin’s Note’s summary of the events. Seems Esther was a Jewish orphan girl who was adopted by her older cousin Mordecai. Mordecai raised Esther as his daughter. The Bible indicates that Esther grew up to be quite a hottie. Esther was eventually taken by King Ahasuerus (NOTE: If you read this story in the New American Standard Bible the King’s name is Ahasuerus. Do not be confused. The New International Version had the King named Xerxes. I don’t understand it, I just know what I saw.) as his queen, they where married. So, orphan Esther turned into Queen Esther. Now, King Ahasuerus had an adviser by the name of Haman. Seems Haman hated Mordecai and also all the Jewish refugees that lived in the kingdom. Haman worked to persuade the King to have all the Jews in the land executed. Seems the King did not realize that he was married to a Jewish woman. Mordecai heard of the extermination decree and sent word to Esther to intercede with the King. Esther was in a tight situation. Apparently there was a law that anyone that approached the King without being called would be put to death unless he raised his gold scepter. So, Esther faced possible death if she was to go before the King to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people. This is the reply she sent to Mordecai, "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 maids 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 4:15 NIV).”
There it is, the last sentence in that passage, if I parish I parish. Esther knew that something much larger than her self was at risk in this situation. Esther had a great faith. See, we have the benefit of reading the rest if Esther. Esther did not have a bible or gospelcom.net handy to read the rest of the story. If you read on past Esther 5 you see that Esther did not perish, she lived, Mordecai was honored for his previous service to the King and Haman was killed on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. Esther had never read Esther chapters 5 – 8. She did not know how it would turn out.
Esther is not the only story in the Bible that illustrates such faith. Think about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they did not have the benefit of reading the rest of their story.
These folks and many others followed their belief when they had no guarantees of life. They had to make a decision that could have very well resulted in their death. They had faith. Not so much faith that they would survive whatever obstacle they faced, rather faith that God was God. Come death or some great outward display of God’s glory they did what brought glory to God.
How easy is it for us to think that these folks just somehow knew that God would save their lives and be glorified greatly in their trail. They did not know what would happen. Faith is not stepping out and knowing what will be under your foot. God does not always call us to step out into things that are sure. We do not always start a journey knowing where we will end or even how we will get there. There is no certainty outside of the fact that God is God.
If I perish, I perish.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:4-6 (NIV)
the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
Thoughts if you wish.
NOTE: So we will go to the school this week. Meet at the round concrete tables by Moore auditorium, we will consider you late after 9:00 pm. I will have posters, we will talk and walk. Hope to see you there.
If I perish, I perish.
That phrase speaks volumes when you stop to consider what it really means. Last week at the Get Closer bible study we mentioned the story of Esther. We find this story in the Old Testament in a most likely place, the book of Esther. Yes, she managed to have a whole book about her in the Bible. Here is the Kevin’s Note’s summary of the events. Seems Esther was a Jewish orphan girl who was adopted by her older cousin Mordecai. Mordecai raised Esther as his daughter. The Bible indicates that Esther grew up to be quite a hottie. Esther was eventually taken by King Ahasuerus (NOTE: If you read this story in the New American Standard Bible the King’s name is Ahasuerus. Do not be confused. The New International Version had the King named Xerxes. I don’t understand it, I just know what I saw.) as his queen, they where married. So, orphan Esther turned into Queen Esther. Now, King Ahasuerus had an adviser by the name of Haman. Seems Haman hated Mordecai and also all the Jewish refugees that lived in the kingdom. Haman worked to persuade the King to have all the Jews in the land executed. Seems the King did not realize that he was married to a Jewish woman. Mordecai heard of the extermination decree and sent word to Esther to intercede with the King. Esther was in a tight situation. Apparently there was a law that anyone that approached the King without being called would be put to death unless he raised his gold scepter. So, Esther faced possible death if she was to go before the King to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people. This is the reply she sent to Mordecai, "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 maids 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 4:15 NIV).”
There it is, the last sentence in that passage, if I parish I parish. Esther knew that something much larger than her self was at risk in this situation. Esther had a great faith. See, we have the benefit of reading the rest if Esther. Esther did not have a bible or gospelcom.net handy to read the rest of the story. If you read on past Esther 5 you see that Esther did not perish, she lived, Mordecai was honored for his previous service to the King and Haman was killed on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai. Esther had never read Esther chapters 5 – 8. She did not know how it would turn out.
Esther is not the only story in the Bible that illustrates such faith. Think about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they did not have the benefit of reading the rest of their story.
These folks and many others followed their belief when they had no guarantees of life. They had to make a decision that could have very well resulted in their death. They had faith. Not so much faith that they would survive whatever obstacle they faced, rather faith that God was God. Come death or some great outward display of God’s glory they did what brought glory to God.
How easy is it for us to think that these folks just somehow knew that God would save their lives and be glorified greatly in their trail. They did not know what would happen. Faith is not stepping out and knowing what will be under your foot. God does not always call us to step out into things that are sure. We do not always start a journey knowing where we will end or even how we will get there. There is no certainty outside of the fact that God is God.
If I perish, I perish.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ
Colossians 1:4-6 (NIV)
the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.
Thoughts if you wish.
posted by Kevin at
10:18 AM
4 Comments:
"If I perish, I perish."
You know, that's the epitome of the difference in the lives and attitudes of Christians and those of the rest of the world. We KNOW that there is more out there than what we can see, and that we are part of a greater picture, with significance far beyond our own momentary lives. Because of Christ and my faith I(and all Christians) have the ability to live a very zen-like life, free from true worry about what's coming next. I KNOW the end of the story (we win, just in case you missed that part) and can spend less time worrying and more time focusing on things that affect more futures than just mine. Right now doesn't matter as much. The problem is...how do I live that way and still be human? It's the habit of humanity to see only what's right in front of us, and get lost in the details so that we forget what the whole thing is about. I find myself waffling between these two realities. Some days I AM very zen-like, all calm and at peace with whatever comes. But other days every little thing seems like maybe it's a sign of the world crashing down around me and I freak. That drives me nuts! If I KNOW what's really important, and KNOW that no matter what the here-and-now looks like the end is going to be perfect, why can't I live every moment that way rather than only on good days?
Just my random thoughts on the subject. It's kind of been on my mind lately anyway...what with the busy-ness of life and stress over everything. Patience is NOT my virtue, and sometimes I find myself frazzled and asking God, "What's going on?!?!" about a lot of things.
How come this site has RSS (live bookmark) and not the Youth one. Is there a way you can set that up on the other blog?
Harriet
I did not set that up because I did not know anyone wanted it. But, being that I know someone will use it, I can set it up. I ran into a small problem with the two blogs saving the RSS info with the same file name. Seems you cannot do that, they tend to over write each other each time they post. I think I can figure it out if I work on it. I will see what I can do.
Thanks for trying to work it out. If it gets too difficult I can get by without it.
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