Daily Devotionals

Devotional: June 29th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Esther 7:1-4

No doubt Haman, having suffered so much shame and humiliation, would have preferred to have stayed at home rather than attend the second banquet given by the queen. He knows, however, that to ignore the queen's invitation would only add to his difficulties. So, licking his wounds, he makes his way to the royal affair. As the banquet proceeds, the king, eager to hear Esther's request, invites her once again to make it known, adding that he favors her so greatly he is prepared to give her half his kingdom. Esther, sensing that this is the moment when the issue has to be faced, begins to quietly disclose the fact of her Jewish identity, her relationship to Mordecai, and her deep concern at how the king's edict, if it is allowed to take effect, will annihilate her and her people. Her intercession is a model which all Christians would do well to emulate. She is bold, plain, simple and direct. She identifies herself with the Jewish people and humbly pleads for their deliverance. All intercession begins in identification. It starts when we allow the groan of God to develop in our souls. How were the slaves freed in the British Empire? Did all England wake up one day and say: "This ought not to be so"? No. One man - William Wilberforce - set out with the groan of God in his soul and labored fervently until the slaves were freed. How did Wales receive a divine visitation in 1904? God groaned in the heart of a man named Evan Roberts and he prayed through until victory came. May you feel the groan of God in some special way today.

O God, I open my soul afresh to You today and invite You to groan in me. Whatever concern You feel, I must share with You. Then place it upon my heart, dear Lord. This I ask in Jesus' peerless and precious Name. Amen.

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