Live Free with Josh Howerton - God Works Behind the Scenes | Ep. 198 | Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Episode Date: November 8, 2023

King Xerxes released a second decree allowing the Jewish people to defend themselves and they soundly defeated their enemies. All throughout this story, God was working behind the scenes to place the right people in the right place at the right time. God is also at work in your life and is the ultimate Hero in your story. Where do you see Him working this week? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Thanks for tuning in to today's Daily Drive with Lake Point Church, a daily dose of God's Word for your morning drive. When the word, not the world, becomes the majority of your week, your life will start to change. For that reason, our prayer is that God will speak to you through today's devotional. For more digital content to feed your faith, visit lakepoint.combe. And now let's dive in to today's devotional. A welcome to the Daily Drive. My name is Mike Bro, and we are here Monday through Friday trying to stick a little hope, a little faith, little joy, a little courage, little truth in our hearts. And man, I am so grateful for all of you who listen. I pray for you every day. And we have been binge watching a series together called Esther.

And it's not Netflix, Prime or Apple TV original is from the Old Testament of the Bible. And one of the coolest, most inspiring stories you'll ever hear. If you missed any of it, please go back, take a listen. it is such a great story with intrigue and unexpected outcomes and incredible heroes. And today we wrap it up with the final episode, Episode 8, Undercover Boss. On the same day that the evil Haman meets his demise, the king gives Esther all of Haman's estate and Esther places Mordecai over it. Because the king had already signed the edict against the Jews, he could not revoke it. So he has Mordecai issue a new decree that was again translated and sent out to all the provinces

and the headline read, on March 7th, Jews in every city had the right to assemble and protect themselves, to destroy and kill any armed force nationality or province that might attack them. This says chapter 9, verse 1. So on March 7th, the two decrees of the king were put into effect. On that day, the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. Now, recall in episode 8. undercover boss because while both Mordecai and Esther display some unbelievable courage and leadership,

the architect of this whole thing is totally undercover, totally behind the scenes. One of the most intriguing things about the book of Esther is that God's name is never mentioned in it. But don't confuse God's name not being in it with God not being in it. He is all over this story. just like with every great drama behind the scenes there's a writer a producer a director who knows every scene is involved in every line

sees every angle is in complete control of the story and listen to me Spielberg Scorsesey Spike Lee, Ron Howard, JJ Abram they got nothing on our God I mean could it just so happen that Vashty is banished at the very time when Esther is the right age to be picked for tryouts I mean could it just so happen

that out of all the thousands of beautiful women coming to the king for four years that Esther the orphan Jewish girl is chosen? Could it just so happen that the Jewish nation would face annihilation at the exact same time the queen happens to be Jewish? Could it just so happen that although it was against the law and the king didn't have a reputation for tolerating disrespectful wives that Esther would win his favor? Could it just so happen that while a plot is being carried out to kill Mordecai, the king has a sleep night and his bedtime story is about the day Mordecai saved his life. Could it just so happen that the gallows for Haman were already built by none other than his egotistical self? Could it just so happen

that all of this would take place at a time when the Jewish community was scattered and displaced, but they would come together and become strong again? No way. That's God. That is God working behind the scenes and everything. And I think God chose to inspire this story without his name being mentioned so that we could take some courage. Because maybe you've been through some seasons in your life where you couldn't figure out how God was working, what God was doing, but now you look back and you see his hand all over it. Or maybe you're going through something in your life right now. And for the life of you, you can't figure out where God is in your story. You can't seem to find his involvement. I think he gave us the story of Esther so that we will

know that even when we can't see him on the page, he is there. He is right where you are right now. Don't be afraid. Be brave. You are not alone. When fear rips you and insecurity grips you, know that he equips you to walk through that door. When shame makes you pause to keep you from the cause, when no one stands with you, know that he does. When the past screams, who are you to do such a thing? Know that there's one who is working behind the scenes to give you. you the courage, the power of the words, the resolve, to stand in his love against all odds, to remind you of who you are that you are now his and you have been made for such a time as this. If you and I are going to live courageous lives, we've got to know that we don't have to be

the hero. The hero is already at work. We just have to be willing to trust him, follow him, and say yes to the role he's asking us to play. So say yes to him today. What, might he do through you today if you do? See you back to more. Thanks for tuning in today. For more biblical teaching and worship, join us for our church online live weekend services on Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 9.30 and 11 a.m. Central Standard Time. Also, if this podcast was helpful to you, would you be sure to rate, review, and share this podcast to help get the word out? For more information about all digital ministries of Lake Point. Visit lakepoint.

compt.combe. slash daily drive.