Weekly Devotion - NOTICE GOD IN THE ORDINARY - June 21, 2010

From Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

NOTICE GOD IN THE ORDINARY

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Esther is the only book in the sixty-six books of the Bible where God’s name is not mentioned – not even once. We might be tempted to think He’s not involved in her story because we can’t see His name. Not so! Just check out these amazing God sightings – evidences and signs of His presence!


Fact: King Xerxes’ search for a queen was done in every province of his realm. The girls needed to be beautiful, young virgins.


God sighting: Esther, the girl God chose to use to save His people, lived in King Xerxes’ kingdom, and was a beautiful young virgin (Esther 2:7).


Fact: Mordecai was Esther’s older cousin who became her foster father after her parents died. Mordecai was also a Jew. Because he was a Jew and refused to bow before Haman, the king’s highest ranking noble, Haman built a gallows, 75-feet high, and made a plan to hang Mordecai.


God sighting: On the night that Haman was building the gallows, God kept the king awake – he couldn’t sleep! Wide-awake, the king ordered the record of his reign be read to him. He discovered that Mordecai saved his life when someone was trying to assassinate him. The king wanted to recognize Mordecai for his help, and whom did he ask to help? The man who wanted to hang him – Haman himself (Esther 6:10-11)!


Fact: Haman plotted to kill all the Jews and received the unsuspecting king’s approval to do it.


God sighting: Esther was queen and no one suspected she was a Jew. God placed her in a unique position to go into the king’s presence and beg for mercy for his people (Esther 4:14).

Fact: Evil Haman is second in charge in the kingdom, and fully expected that everything be done according to his plan.


God sighting: God used Haman’s evil wife Zeresh to speak truth to Haman about Who is really in charge and directing all the plans (Esther 6:13).


Fact: God sightings are not unique to Esther’s story. The same is true for you and me! If we want to find God in our story we must look for Him with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13).


God sighting: Your turn. Where do you see Him in your story today? Feed the fire by being on watch for God in all places, at all times by noticing Him in the ordinary.


PASSION Step: The book of Ruth is packed with God-sightings, too. Read it this week (and Esther, too!) and count how many you can find!

How often do we need to see God’s face, hear His voice, feel His touch, know His power? The answer to all these questions is the same: Every day!

John Blanchard

PS Ladies, this devotional was based on Lesson 1 of Esther – True Beauty for such a time as this! We’re so excited to have you touch and feel and promote all the new curriculum within your area. Keep the staff in your prayers as they work hard to complete all of these things before Conference. Thank you!