For a time such as this

So I tried to post this but I failed miserably, so I will have to try this again. :)

August is almost over and I have been slacking on my blog posts. I just finished reading the book of Esther and am beginning Job. I have read both before but am always learning new things from each. I love the part when Mordecai tells Esther that perhaps she came to become Queen for such a time as this. What happened, in case you have never heard the story, is that a man named Haman was plotting to kill all of the Jews. Esther was the Queen and she could go to the King and make a petition to him to spare the Jews. However, if he was not happy with her coming to him without being announced, then he could have her killed. So, she was very nervous about going before him. Job is another story. He loses everything. His children die, his wife dies, he loses all of his livestock, his house, and he gets really really sick. But both continued to follow God. Job is never really given a reason about why he was having to go through what he went through. However, despite not getting a 'memo' on what God's plan for them was, they did what they knew was right. I think that having faith in terrible situations brings so much more glory to God rather than just hearing a commandment and following it. Having faith is a sacrifice of one's own will demonstrating true love and commitment and following God's perfect will for His glory and honor. In the end, we know that Esther was put in her position by God because he knew that she would fulfill His purpose and protect the Jews, keeping His covenant with Israel. Job gained back more than he lost, and we know that God was able to show Satan that he has lost and mankind is not unable to reflect God. I love the bible because it keeps me in touch with the wisdom of following God's plan for my life and not my own!