Sunday (10/9)

As we continue our read through of the Old Testament of the Bible, this week we will read the book of Esther. The book of Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named after a woman. It tells the story of the time when the Persians were the reigning political power within the lands where the Jews in exile lived. The book documents Queen Esther’s role, guided by her relative, Mordecai, in helping to save the Jews within the Persian Empire from being annihilated. Although God is not mentioned within the book, the Lord clearly worked in the lives of the king, Esther, and Mordecai for the protection of the Jews throughout the empire.

 

If you did not read the previous books of Genesis through Nehemiah, you are encouraged to watch the Bible Project video about the Old Testament to have a clearer understanding of the full story within the text of the Hebrew Bible. The video summarizes the Hebrew scriptures of the ancient Jewish people. It is available on YouTube.

TaNaK/Old Testament by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss the verses with another person or small group.

8. Use a Study Bible. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

 

Monday (10/10)

Read the verses from Psalm 85 that are below to begin your devotional time:

“Let me hear what the LORD God says,

because he speaks peace to his people and to his faithful ones.

Don’t let them return to foolish ways.

God’s salvation is very close to those who honor him

so that his glory can live in our land.” – Psalm 85:8-9 CEB

 

You are encouraged to watch the Overview: Esther video by the Bible Project that is available on Youtube before reading the verses for this week:

Overview: Esther by the Bible Project

 

Read Esther 1:1-2:20. As you read the bible verses, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal a word, phrase, or verse from the biblical text that is specifically for you for today.

 

Pray for our Jewish sisters and brothers, as well as for those who are part the various minority populations of America and our community.

 

 

Tuesday (10/11)

Read Psalm 85:8-9 to center yourself in God.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit. If you struggle to listen, focus on the physical sounds you hear. The Spirit of the Lord can use the noises you hear to help you set your thoughts on the One who enables your to hear and perceive.

 

Read Esther 2:21-4:17. Choose questions from the Sunday list of this devotional to wrestle with as part of your study time.

 

Pray for:

• Those closest to you (family members & friends)
• Those who point others towards God (pastors, teachers, mentors, authors, musicians, etc.)
• Leaders (locally, nationally, and globally)
• People in need throughout the world (the hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, imprisoned, neglected, abused, lost, etc.)

• Yourself (share your needs and invite the Lord to guide you)

 

 

Wednesday (10/12)

Read Psalm 85:8-9 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

Read Esther chapters 5 and 6. Which word, phrase, or verse is God using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

Pray through your day, including for the people you will be with or have been with, as well as what you will do or what you have done.

 

 

Thursday (10/13)

Read Psalm 85:8-9.

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes or more alone with God silently listening. Be still physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritual, knowing that God is in charge and in control (Psalm 46:10). Don’t let your mind drift towards to-do-lists or tasks, but stop long enough to let your thoughts cease so that your only focus is being with the Lord.

 

Read Esther chapters 7 and 8. You are encouraged to use the questions and suggestions from the Sunday list of this devotional to help guide your study time.

 

Pray in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (10/14)

Read Psalm 85:8-9 to begin your time with God.

 

Read Esther chapters 9 and 10. Invite the Lord to speak to you through the words of scripture.

 

Pray for those in need within our community.

 

Look for opportunities to bless those in need in the coming days as a way to put your faith in action as an obedient disciple of Christ.

 

 

Saturday (10/15)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to worship God, rest, and enjoy life-giving recreation to experience restoration. Are you setting aside an hour, part of a day, or an entire day as a way to observe the Sabbath? You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath until you are eventually able to worship, rest, and engage in living-giving recreation for an entire day each week.

 

Read Esther 9:20-23. How should you respond to these verses?

 

Solitude and Silence. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

Read Psalm 22:22-31.

 

Pray and live in response to our God. You may find it helpful to use some of the words of the psalm as a guide for your prayer.