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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Personal note: Our daughter Ester did very well yesterday in her heart pacemaker replacement surgery. (Again, we want to thank many who prayed.) The surgery itself was quite extensive due to all her previous surgeries and the scar tissue on her heart. The surgeon needed to open her chest to find the right places for the leads and we were told the cardiologist pleased with their placement.

Late last night they took her off the ventilator and we rejoiced at her resumption of consciousness and her very raspy "Hi" and smile. That's a great moment after any surgery! She's still in cardiac ICU this morning but may possibly
move to a regular room today.

Prior to the surgery we were escorted by an elderly Jewish volunteer. Her late husband had been a Rabbi and a chaplain at the hospital. She commented that we pronounced and spelled Ester's name just as they do in Hebrew, something we had never heard before, always assuming it to be only a Spanish pronunciation. (Ester was actually named after a German volunteer at the orphanage in Guatemala where Ester was born, but we have always considered her wonderful Biblical namesake.)

So let me share a story from Esther this morning! (Brooksyne is at the hospital so this won't get her editing, prayer and additional thoughts.)


"Quietly Sovereign"

"During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.  But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai.  And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows. All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king" (Esther 2:21-23).

I first became familiar with a powerful hymn while pastoring in New England about ten years ago.  I appreciate the thoughtful words of the hymnist in one line particularly. "Teach us to know You, always among us, quietly sovereign – Lord of our now." Whatever we are dealing with in life it's so vitally assuring to remember that God is still on the throne, that He is absolutely sovereign and He indeed rules over the affairs of men, both globally and personally.

Esther (as we spell it in English) is a remarkable book.  Most Bible students are aware of the fact that God is not specifically mentioned by name in the entire book (the only book of the Bible with this distinction).  As the book of Ruth reminds us that God is at work in the lives of "ordinary people"; Esther reveals God at work among the "higher classes."  Both remind us that His work is often "behind the scenes."  He is, as the song states, "quietly sovereign." The latter part of the daily Scripture portion attests to what is surely one of the great mysteries of God's providence and sets the scene for a remarkable intervention by God later in the book.

I wonder why Mordecai's act of loyalty was not immediately recognized by the King?  After all, they were recorded in his presence.  I wonder if this was discouraging to Mordecai.  Other Biblical characters had similar experiences (Joseph comes to mind).  And surely you have as well.  I sure have.  We try to figure it out and it just doesn't make any sense.  We can grow bitter and turn from God or we can learn the truth of waiting for God's timing.  This requires the great character quality of patience.  Delays can be an intense test of faith and a great source of growth.

Many years later (according to my study - 8 years) a wicked man named Haman, who had gained great favor with the king, was determined to have Mordecai put to death and had even prepared the gallows, intending to have him hung the following morning. 

But that very night, at just the right time, the king was beset by a bad case of insomnia.  Apparently sleeping pills were unavailable and he did something that seems very strange when one has a hard time sleeping.  He called for the annals to be read (6:1) and this long forgotten incident set in motion a remarkable deliverance by the unseen Hand of God.  God had not forgotten Mordecai or His people. 

This same God is at work today.  He hasn't changed at all in 2,500 years.  We may wonder if God has forgotten all about us, or if He even cares.  In a serious faith crisis some may even question His existence, not surprising given the dominant, sometimes crushing secularism our faith arises out of.  But His timetable is so often different than ours, and He proves His faithfulness again and again over the long haul.  We can join the Psalmist with the joy-filled exclamation, "I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me" (Psalms 57:2).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

God Of The Ages
(Tune of "Morning Has Broken")


God of the ages, History's Maker,
Planning our pathway, holding us fast,
Shaping in mercy all that concerns us.
Father, we praise You, Lord of the past.

God of this morning,
Gladly Your children
Worship before You, trustingly bow.
Teach us to know You always among us,
Quietly sovereign Lord of our now.

God of tomorrow, Strong Overcomer,
Princes of darkness own Your command.
What then can harm us?
We are Your people,
Now and forever kept by Your hand.

Lord of past ages, Lord of this morning,
Lord of the future, help us we pray.
Teach us to trust You, love and obey You,
Crown You each moment Lord of today.


Daily Prayer: God You are supreme in our hearts. In adoration we worship You as we trustingly bow and lovingly surrender to You. Teach us to know You, as Your presence is always among us, working in Your quiet sovereign ways as You rule the affairs of Your people.  Amen.

PS: Brooksyne, who stayed with Ester last night, called this morning as I was preparing this message and Ester is doing well although nauseated.  She is progressing in recovery as they took out two extra IV lines and the central line in her neck as well as chest tubes.  Praise be to God!!

Esther 6

I had a hard time getting this message out today due to internet connection problems, so it is very late. I was also blessed by a visit from a long-time friend who is now an associate pastor in his church. Here's a photo of Rick, along with Ester taken this last Spring at our home.

Rick Masciantonio and Ester

Boston Children's Hospital
We are in Boston at Children's Hospital, a large teaching hospital associated with the Harvard Medical School. We learned yesterday that they perform some 100 surgeries daily!  I have had a number of ministry opportunities while I have been here.

"God Of The Ages" Clarkson, E. Margaret © 1982 Christianity Today. Assigned to Hope Publishing Company CCLI License No. 2005306


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