ESTHER 8:11–17
At a funeral, instead of telling the people how to understand God or consoling them, the minister speculated on unrelated topics, causing me to question if he actually understood the occasion.
The speaker invited the crowd to sing “How Great Thou Art,” the closing hymn, which elicited heartfelt appreciation from the audience. The mood of the entire room transformed in a matter of moments.
I was worried if God was going to show up at that funeral until we sang that wonderful hymn. He really never goes away. Examining the book of Esther demonstrates this reality. While the Jews were in exile, there was a strong desire to have them killed. However, in the depths of despair, a godless monarch gave the Israelites the freedom to protect themselves from those who wished for their destruction (Esther 8:11–13). There was a triumphant defence and celebration afterward (9:17–19).
It should be no surprise when God shows up in the words of a hymn at a funeral. After all, He turned an attempted genocide into a celebration and a crucifixion into resurrection and salvation!
🙏 O GOD, TURN OUR UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCES AROUND TODAY.
📷: sestovic
