A good day

Esther 8:17

And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.

This story is one of the most remarkable turn-arounds in the history of stories. I understand that not every story contains such a redemption, such a change, such a dramatic turn for the good. But let us gorge ourselves a little in the substance of this story, considering how the Lord brought a good day out of an evil day, made a dark day a day of light, and made a day of gloominess and misery a day of gladness and delight.

For you see, the decree had been previously given by Haman to destroy all the Jews, small and great, in the great Persian empire. The king, not realizing that his queen was of the Jews, agreed to Haman’s proposition. But then, Esther makes a bold movement to enter the kings court without summon or invitation on the risk of perishing. As she obtained favor in his eyes, he told her that her request would be granted to half of his kingdom. She then revealed her request to save her people and her kindred. And when the king discovered that Haman was the mastermind and leader behind such a diabolical plan, he was immediately furious; and by recommendation of one of his officers, commanded that Haman be hanged on the gallows that he himself had made with the intention of executing Mordecai.

Immediately, when this decree is made, joy fills Esther’s heart that the great arch-enemy of the Jews would be done away with. However, even after this is settled, Esther is still very concerned for her people. For she knows that a commandment had gone out to all of the king’s provinces that the Jews could be killed on a set day. And this command could not be reversed as it was sealed with the kings ring. Therefore a new decree must be made, as the old cannot be abolished. She beseeches the king with tears that he would put away the mischief of such an evil man completely. Therefore, at the sanction of the king, and through the commandment of Mordecai the Jew, letters are hastened to every corner of the empire to tell the Jews to stand up on that day for themselves, their wives, and their children against their enemies. And furthermore, they were to slaughter their enemies, taking the spoil for a prey. This commandment, having been given by the king, and written by Mordecai, reached every corner of the empire, and invoked great fear into the hearts of the Jews’ enemies. Because, after all, the king was on the side of the Jews! To kill a Jew would be to countervail the king! To stand against the Jews would be to disregard the king’s direction! Therefore, many sought to join the Jews’ ranks to prevent their elimination on that day.

Therefore, to the Jews on this day, a day of consternation and fear became a day of joy and gladness. A day of dread and bitterness became a day of feasting and gladness. It became a good day! A day to feast, to rejoice, to exult in God’s goodness! For God had saved His people! By means of a beautiful young woman, selected by God to effect their salvation, the Jewish people had no need to fear. For God can use any vessel. He will place them “for such a time as this.” He will elect the vessel most fit, most prepared, most becoming of that office. We must not despise God’s choosing, but embrace it with full joy. For it is by means of His chosen person that His perfect and glorious will may be accomplished.

You may say, this is not a good day! This is a gloomy day, a sorrowful day, a downcast day. Well, my dear friend, we must only do what Esther did. We must enter the inner court immediately. We must stand in the King’s presence at once! For He will grant our petition if we will but ask! And if He does not today, He will answer at a better time. Know that you must be saved from some great evil, and so the Lord, knowing this, will accomplish His will in His holy and perfect time. It is not for us to know. It is not for us to understand. But it is only for us to believe, to petition, to enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. He will extend the golden scepter. He will receive thee! Come now, for thou wilt not be refused.

Has God delivered you once before? Twice, thrice? Think upon those things as the basis for all future hope. The day may not feel good, but as we look at these things, and fix our eyes on Him once more as our only hope, a better day will begin to dawn. The silver lining of tomorrow will begin to shimmer on the horizon. Let us now speak to the Lord, asking Him that He may turn our dark day into a bright day, and the blackness of night into the light of the noonday. For He alone can turn a day of perplexity into a good day!

“Father, how we thank you for the hope that you just infused into our bodies. You have enlivened our souls with new joy. You have revived our spirits with a sweet helping of your grace. May it be the nourishment for this day, the daily bread that may sustain us. In our gloomy days, help us to look to the Lord’s goodness. On our dark days, help us to petition you in faith, knowing that you will not reject us. We are Thine. Guide us by Thy loving hand. Lead us out of the darkness into the light. Make a day of sorrow and sighing a day of joy and laughter. Make THIS day a good day! In Christ Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”