Change Is A Must
Change Is A Must For Today’s Christian
To remain relevant in a changing world one must change accordingly, those who resist change risk extinction like the dinosaurs, modern Christians must always be ready to lay down their other believes and in turn walk according to the Word of God.
Esther 1: 2-12 (KJV)
‘‘That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, in third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of all provinces, being before him: when he shewed the princes of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty, many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all officers of his house that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Habona, Bightha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the royal crown, the shew the people and the princes her beauty for she was fair to look on, but the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger was burned in him’’. KJV
The king had invited many to this party and we see that all manner of foods and drinks were served using all kinds of vessels. While the king’s party was going on, the queen also made a party for the women of the king’s officials. Everyone was having a good time in celebrating their king’s achievements and riches but queen Vashti was not satisfied and she went on to hold a side party of her own. When she was required to appear before the king she became arrogant and disrespectful and she was rejected as queen. Vashti was a beauty to behold and she held on to the fact she was physically beautiful and nothing bad would happen to her. Verse 11, is emphatic on this physical aspect of the queen’s countenance. The queen rejected the blessing of the king by first of holding a party parallel to the king, and exercising authority against the very authority that gave her position, power and privileges. Queen Vashti was beautiful to behold physically but she lacked the wisdom to back it up.
In the same way God gives us many opportunities in life and we get used to the same and forget that God is more powerful than us to whom we should give account of our stewardship at any given moment. Most of the time we do as we please because we think or we’ve been told how good we are in whatever we do and we forget that there is One to whom our account is due at His pleasure and not our convenience. God is gracious at all times and always want to bless us but we become ignorant to His call to serve because we have had a lot human praises heaped on us, in terms physical of attributes, achievements, acquisitions, the list is endless. We rarely remember that we will be called upon to present ourselves before the Master (King) at His pleasure.
King Ahasuerus generosities in these verses represent God, especially when we consider the following;
a) The timing of the feast 3rd year of king Ahasuerus reign;
b) description of the palace in verse 4;
c) the kind of people invited for this feast, great and small;
d) number of days of the feast is seven;
e) number of servants in attendance of the king was seven;
f) the colours of the palace – white, linen, blue, purple, red, gold and silver;
g) freedom accorded the people at the feast;
There is Biblical significance of the all the above listed items;
i) number three represent God’s fullness;
ii) gold represents the glory of God; silver represents the grace of God;
iii) terms , glorious kingdom, honour and excellent majesty are used to refer to God in many occasions in the Bible;
iv) number seven represents perfection of God;
v) materials used in decorating the palace have resemblance to the ones in used in making the tabernacle of the meeting; Exodus 25:9-40; 26:30-37; 30:1-6;
vi) these also in their way represent the coming of Jesus Christ:
a) red represents Jesus coming: as a king – gospel of Matthew;
b) linen represents Jesus coming as servant- gospel of Mark;
c) purple represents His coming as a man- gospel of Luke;
d) blue represents Jesus coming as God – gospel of John;
Having these facts, and knowing that all Bible stories have deeper spiritual meaning, we can conclusively say that king Ahasuerus represents God; and the princes and the people invited to the party is us; the King wants us to have His blessing, peace and everlasting grace when we listen to His call by His Word. God is not a respecter of persons; God only respects His Word and moves forward to fulfil the same when we chose to believe it.
God has given each one of us grace to live and do whatever we do for a living but we fail to realise that there is Somebody we should account to for our time, actions, inactions, deeds and misdeeds and that Somebody can require of a full account. His intention is always good towards and never malicious. We find that our King is not so much out of touch from the realities we face every day but he is very aware of everything.
We should constantly seek to please the King by accepting His grace by being obedient and ready to answer His call regardless of what other engagements we might have, ignoring our status and earthly possessions 1Ttimothy 6:17,18,( KJV). God requires a people who are ready and waiting for an opportunity to serve whenever called upon in season and out of season.
The king wanted surely to bless Vashti but she was too busy and self conceited to appear before the king, my brother my sister I don’t know what is holding you back today from heeding God’s call, is it your money, fame, education, family? What is really holding from answering the King’s call? Are you too important in your organisation? The King’s intentions are good towards you, come out of that cocoon and embrace the love of God by accepting His proffered salvation today, tomorrow might be too late. Don’t let your false sense of security mislead you; don’t let your importance mar your vision for an even greater life for God says that He knows the thoughts that He has for you. Don’t reject the peace that the King is extending to you please accept it today again I say, tomorrow might be too late, put aside your ignorance, put aside your comfortable life and privileges, this grace and mercy is available to you now and not tomorrow. I really don’t know what your argument is but one thing I know for sure is that destruction falls shortly on them that let their pride, ignorance, arrogance and false sense of security misguided by the hardening of their hearts to the Kings call.
Whatever it is that is holding you back, just drop it because God values you just the way you are, irrespective of all that you have or haven’t done in this life he gave His only beloved Son to die for you. Romans 5:8 ‘‘but God commandeth His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’’ (KJV). God’s love for us is openly proffered and can only be had if you open up your heart to His invitation. What is making you hesitant is not from God, that I can assure you with full confidence; it is the enemy confusing you and preventing you from receiving your blessings from God. This is your golden opportunity, make the best use of it, your life, career, family and all you have depends on it. God is not bothered by what you have done in the past, present or in future for ‘‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’’, Hebrews 13:8; whatever He promised then is applicable and true even in future, His promises are true for He is faithful, Numbers 23:19 ‘‘God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?
God’s faithfulness is an open secret to those who know and can testify to His goodness and faithfulness. To you brethren who have had the grace of salvation in your lives, I say that familiarity breeds contempt. Watch out lest you also become too comfortable and take His grace for granted, always remember this:
Lamentations 3:21- 23; ‘‘this I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassion fail not. They are new every day morning: great is Thy faithfulness.’’
It isn’t our good works, behaviours of anything else that we’ve done to deserve to be alive and well but by His great mercies and grace only which He gave us freely folks. Therefore we have nothing to boast about whatsoever, the one and only thing required of us is total surrender and submission to His authority. God’s will and standards is all we need in every aspect of our lives knowing that we can do nothing for ourselves unless He helps us. You can never live well, do well or prosper by yourself. God bless you all.
This devotional is written by Pastor Joseph Koburu Mukiira of Maximum Victory Centre, Mathare North. Nairobi- Kenya and brought to you curtesy of Journey to Joy Ministries International USA.