Waves of Destiny

Waves of Destiny

“ Who knoweth whether thou art come into the kingdom for such a time as this?” These powerful words rang in the ears of Queen Esther, uttered forcefully by her beloved guardian and cousin, Mordecai the Jew. Taken from Esther 4:14, this eternal challenge formed the basis for our sermon on Sunday given by sister Poh Gaik.

The story of Esther is largely based on destiny, and in an exciting narrative shows how a series of “coincidences” overturned an alarming threat of extinction for the entire Jewish people into a great victory for them. In an unprecedented turn of events, the royal Queen Vashti was deposed for an act of disobedience to the mighty King of Persia. A search was called in all the land to find a new beauty who would be queen, and to the surprise of everyone, a poor, orphan Jewish girl was chosen, and she quickly rose to become queen of the most powerful empire in all the earth. Coincidentally, a wicked man called Haman also rose to power at that time and he, offended by a certain stubborn Jew who refused to bow to him, launched an evil plan to exterminate the entire race of God’s people.

Mordecai the Jew immediately turned to his precious child, Esther for help, but she was at first horrified at the thought of approaching the king unbeckoned, something no one ever did. He persuaded her further and drew attention to the possibility that it was destiny that brought her there, and she agreed soberly to do her best to help, but called for a fast by all the Jews to invoke divine power and favor. On the third day, Esther risked her life in approaching the king unbidded, but he showed favor to her, sparing her life, and even offering her up to half his kingdom. Wisely and patiently, she invited the king and Haman to a special banquet where she would present her request. That same night, the king himself coincidentally could not sleep, and called for the book of the Chronicles, the record of his reign to be brought in and read to him. Here, he discovered that Mordecai the Jew had uncovered a plot to kill him, yet was never rewarded for saving the life of the king. Coincidentally again, Haman happened to be there the next day, and the king asked him what should be done for a man who pleased the king. Haman, arrogantly thinking it was himself, suggested a lavish parade for the man in the city, and to his horror, Mordecai received that very glory. Shortly after, at the banquet, Queen Esther revealed to the king the evil plan of Haman to exterminate all the Jews, including herself, and the king’s rage could not be contained. Haman was hanged, and a new order was decreed which gave the Jews the upper hand, and they vanquished their enemies with ease.

Throughout the book of Esther, there is not a single mention of God or prayer, yet God’s hand is so clearly and marvelously at work behind the scenes at all times. A great man once said, there are no coincidences, only God’s appointments.

Some lessons on Esther

-         Each one of us is placed exactly where we are because of God’s will (Like Esther, let us be willing and ready to do his will with all that we have)

-         God is in control at all times (We must trust God always, in any circumstance)

-         God has strategic vessels (like Esther) in position to carry out His plans, but cannot carry it out without vital links (like Mordecai) (Keep in prayer and readiness to join God in His work at any time)

-         God’s promises are always fulfilled (Mordecai was confident the Jews would not be exterminated, even if Queen Esther did not rise up)

-         It is important to wait for God’s timing. Esther waited for the opportune time to present her request to the king

-         Arrogance and boastfulness help one along towards his destruction (Haman)

 God bless,

Jason

Jesus Heals the Official's Son

Jesus Heals the Official's Son

This Sunday at CDC, we were privileged to have sister Goh Poh Gaik share on the healing of the official’s son from John Chapter 4. Running through the passage, sister Poh Gaik taught us many important lessons but at the end of it she emphasized two very critical points that she wanted us to take home.

 43After the two days he left for Galilee. 44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.)

Sister Poh Gaik exhorted us here to learn to appreciate and treasure those who have risen up from among our own ranks – not becoming jealous of them but encouraging them to greater heights for the Lord’s service.

45When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.

 46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine.

Here we learn that is good for us to return to places we have ministered before to encourage them and confirm the authenticity of our message.

And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.

Here we learn that all of us have problems, no matter how rich or poor, high-ranking or low-ranking. All of us need Jesus.

47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

Here we see the initiative that this father took to seek out Jesus. It was no small distance to travel from Capernaum to Galilee in those days, but the father took the trouble to find Jesus for the sake of his son.

 48"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

Here we are exhorted to believe even without signs and wonders, to believe that God is there even when everything seems to be going wrong.

 49The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

The royal official mistakenly assumed that Jesus had to go to Capernaum to heal his son. Too often, we put God in a box, and sometimes even “tell” God what to do. We would do well to just present our needs to God and let God work in His ways, which are far beyond our ways and thinking.  

 50Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."

      The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

Here, we see that the man believed that Jesus had healed his son. We need to learn to take God’s Word as it is and believe.

51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."

Sister Poh Gaik shared here that it is sometimes important for us to check and verify miracles. Too often we are quick to claim this or that without proper verification and this can be dangerous and cause the church to lose credibility.

 53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

Firstly, the father had believed that Jesus could perform the miracle. Secondly, he now believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God.

Coming back to sister Poh Gaik’s two main points. The first point is that the father pleaded to Jesus for his son. Speaking specifically to fathers, we were exhorted to learn to spend time with and pray for our children with genuine love and concern in our hearts. Sister Poh Gaik pointed out that when she was preparing for a Christmas message, she was drawn to how the angel spoke to Joseph in dreams in regard to the safety and welfare of his wife and child. The safety and welfare of his family is the responsibility of the father, not only physically and materially but also spiritually.

The second point is that the father influenced his household. Because of his faith in Jesus, he and all his household believed in Jesus too. As fathers, we need to pray that God will help us be a good and powerful influence in our families, helping them learn and do what is right and true.

May the Lord help fathers everywhere who call upon His name to be loving, concerned fathers and also fathers of good influence.

God bless, Jason