Esther 8:12

 Esther 8:12 says, Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.  Verse thirteen adds, The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.  We are given the day that the decree went out that the Jews were to be ready to defend themselves if they were attacked.  We as Christians should be prepared to be attacked by those who don’t believe in God and ready to defend ourselves under the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit.  We may not always be successful in this lifetime, but the success is already ours if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

Verse fourteen continues, So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.  Those carrying the message hurried to carry it to all the people, and we as Christians have the good news that people who are under a spiritual death sentence can have it lifted by putting their faith in Jesus Christ, and we should hurry to share this news, by whatever method is available to us. 

Verse fifteen states, And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.  Mordecai, instead of being hanged, went out of the king’s presence dressed in royal apparel.  We will one day be dressed in the righteousness of Christ.  Until then, we need to go out into the world showing them that we are a child of the King.  Our death sentence has been lifted.  The people around him rejoiced, and our fellow believers should rejoice if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord today. 

Verse sixteen adds, The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.  Instead of being killed, the Jews rejoiced.  The king couldn't lift his death decree, but he did make a away for the people of Israel to survive it.  God did not lift the death decree for sin, but when He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place, He made a way for us to survive it if we only accept it.  When we do, we should rejoice in the Lord. 

Verse seventeen continues, 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.  Not only did the Jews rejoice at the decree, but many people became Jews because they feared them.  We want people to become Christians today, but not because they fear us.  We want them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior because they love God.