Wednesday Quote…Beth Moore

This summer, I’m going through Beth Moore’s Esther study for the second time. I did it two years ago with the women’s ministry at church and LOVED it. This summer I’m with a group of leaders/future leaders in our college ministry. I’ve enjoyed studying it with a different group of women with different perspectives. But as much as I got out of it the first time through, I’ve been AMAZED at how much Esther’s story speaks to the exact circumstances in my life right now.

For starters, I’ve been really struck by one of the overarching themes in the study and the book of Esther. Esther is the one book in the Bible that never mentions God by name. Beth has repeatedly said, “His name is not in it, but it is ON IT.”  I so needed this timely reminder that God is present even when He is silent. Every week, we’ve explored the concept of Providence: God’s work through circumstances and events.

I’m in a season of life – on an adventure with the Lord, really – where there are circumstances that are near and dear to my heart that are completely out of my control. Decisions are being made and will continue to be made for me and my family by people who do not even know us. Praise God for His reminder in Esther that He is at work in ways beyond our imagining. I don’t think this means that I’m promised to get exactly the outcome I’d want in this adventure – but I can REST in the reality that however circumstances work out, there is a GOOD GOD holding all things together. Praise Him.

For today’s quote, I want to share something that really struck me from this past week’s study. We just finished Esther 6, where the plot in the book is taking a dramatic turn. Haman is the enemy of the Jews, and has successfully plotted to have the entire race of Jews in Persia sentenced to be killed, annihilated, and destroyed, primarily because of his hatred of one Jew, Mordecai. Through an unexpected (providential) turn of events Haman ends up leading his enemy Mordecai through the streets of town in a parade of honor he had intended for himself. I can’t imagine Mordecai’s response to this – he knew this man intended to kill him and all of his people, and now he was being led in honor by Haman through the streets. We’re not told one thing about Mordecai’s reaction. He just goes back to work:

Esther 6:10-12a

¹⁰ Then the king said to Haman, “Take quickly the robes and the horse as you have said, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate; do not fall short in anything of all that you have said.” ¹¹ So Haman took the robe and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, “Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.”  ¹² Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate….

Beth says:

We might glean several things from Mordecai’s example. If we get overlooked for affirmation or promotion, so be it. Let’s just do our jobs. Let’s pursue a walk with God so close that the spotlights of this world – be they for us or against us – are eclipsed by His enormous shadow cast on our path.

There in the shelter of the Most High we find our significance and the only satisfaction of our insatiable need to be noticed. There and there alone we are free to be neither depressed nor impressed with the capricious reactions of this carnal world.

I have been continually reminded lately of my need for affirmation – my drive and desire to be recognized. I so desire this – to live in the shelter of the Most High, where regardless of my circumstances, whether in calm or grave danger, whether applauded or condemned, I find safety and security.

What do you think? Is it possible to walk so closely with the Lord that the spotlights of the world are eclipsed by His shadow? I hope so, because that is what I want.

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