July 4, 2022

Peachtree Church is reading through the Bible together in 2022 with Quest: Exploring God’s Story Together. Devotionals are sent by email three days each week. Monday’s email includes additional background, history, and cultural information to help us better understand the texts. On Tuesday and Thursday you will receive a devotional based on one portion of the texts for this week.

Texts for this week

Introduction to the Texts

The book of Esther is a narrative that details how a plan to eradicate God’s people, the Jews, got set in motion but was disrupted in unforeseen ways. It reads like a novel, filled with colorful characters and intriguing storylines. Most fascinating about the book of Esther is that God isn’t mentioned even once in the book. The Bible, the written revelation of God himself, contains a book that has no mention of God at all. However, we will see that he is in Esther, woven through every storyline, directing the course in every detail.

Devotional

“God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing of all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory”.
– Westminster Larger Catechism


In my own life, I often describe myself as an individual who wants to see the “writing on the wall” when the need for a decision arises or when I want to understand a life challenge or tragedy. I have been known to pray and ask God to write it out for me. Unfortunately, God has never spoken to me this way!


Instead, when I look closely and acknowledge him in all things, I see that he fulfils his promises through the ordinary daily workings of my everyday life. Knowing that this is true and acknowledging what I know about God and his faithfulness to his people throughout history, I recognize at my core that God is working out his purposes in every detail of my life. All the good, all the bad, all the messy—under his providential hand. Nothing is squandered; no circumstance is pointless. The truth is that everything going on in my life today is foundational and preparatory for what God has planned for tomorrow.

 

God’s hand, though sometimes hidden, is active and working, often in unforeseen ways.

For Reflection


How do you view God in your most joyful experiences?


How do you view God in your most challenging experiences?

Prayer


Gracious Lord,
We acknowledge that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Move within us to keep our eyes open to see your hand. When we feel we cannot see you, Lord, remind us of your faithfulness and your promise that you will fulfill your promises.
In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen

Rev. Deanne Townsend
Pastor for Family Ministries
404-842-5845