【Chapters 7-8 Recording: Part 2】

The world we sojourn in is fraught with crises, lurking in our lives, ready to overwhelm us at any moment. Are we then helpless against these unseen forces? Certainly not. Hidden within the verses of this chapter lies the masterstroke to overcome crises.

Questions for Reflection:

• In Chapter 7, verse 4, Esther pleads with the king about her family's misfortune. Why do the chosen of God also encounter misfortune?

• Chapter 7, verse 10, narrates Haman being hanged on the gallows. What were the reasons for Haman’s punishment? In truth, who was it that punished him?

• When you face dire straits, feeling helpless and alone, how do you deliver yourself?

Reactions When Facing a Crisis

If one cannot see God's hand at work when facing a crisis, there is only one reason: your faith was abandoned halfway. If your faith persists to the end without wavering, God will surely bring it to pass. When God accomplishes it, you will even be surprised at how quickly His promises and the turnaround of the crisis arrive. When facing crisis, people have two reactions: one is faith, and the other is lack of faith. If you are a person of faith, there is nothing that cannot be turned around. Therefore, brothers and sisters, today we must begin to learn a lesson, to know that in the eyes of a Christian, there is no crisis that cannot be turned around. Even if the turnaround does not come while you are alive, God will still turn it around after you die. If you say that this is too slow, I would tell you that God does not view things in this manner.

God told Abraham: Go outside, look up at the stars, and see if you can count them (cf. Genesis 15:5). Abraham stood outside, in an age without streetlights, everything was dark, and the sky was full of stars, impossible to count; those were his future descendants. Yet, when Abraham died, he had only seen two grandsons (Jacob and Esau). In Abraham's heart, he always held onto God's promise that his descendants would be like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Another thing we must know is that to God, a thousand years are like a day, and a day is like a thousand years. So, to you, it may seem very, very long, but when the turnaround comes, you will feel it is too fast, incredibly fast. Therefore, every time we pass through a crisis, it is shocking; the time God prepares is so perfect.

I am most grateful for the faith God has given me. In my faith, I do not see our church as a dying church, even though today we only see a few kittens and a few tigers. But in my heart, there is great hope that God will do new things through us, and that God will turn around many crises through us. God is still preparing us to turn around this crisis. Rev. Zhou Shenzhu's home gatherings promoted in Asia are very popular in Japan. Later, in Malaysia, the local Christians were also very enthusiastic. When it reached Hong Kong, the Christians there were also very excited, a truly shocking scene. Now it has reached Singapore, and I think this is a message that will bring about a turnaround.

Many churches are praying for Singapore. During their prayers, they had a vision: seeing a small church of only twenty or thirty people, praying fervently. I was deeply moved when I heard this, because we are using all our public holidays to pray. Brothers and sisters, we have entered into the heart of God. When we enter into God's heart, we will turn around this generation. We must begin to lay down our own desires, because when we lay down our own desires, God begins to use us, and when God uses us, we receive great honour. In the face of crisis, God can still raise up a small group of us, and I feel very honoured. So, brothers and sisters, no matter what kind of crisis we face, as long as your faith does not falter, God can use you, and there is no crisis that cannot be turned around, whether it is a personal, national, or even ethnic crisis.

Brothers and sisters, we often only see the immediate situation. Today, you should choose to be like Abraham, believing in God's promises even in desolate circumstances. Just like the crisis our church faces today, the devil and the enemy will not let us go because we are weak, nor will they be overcome because we are strong. So, no matter what the situation, we must hold onto the faith within us. Do not be weak. Even if I still have many issues, even if I still have a lot of shortcomings, they cannot hinder God's promises. We must ignite a fire in our hearts, a fire that leads us into God's will, and on the day we destroy the enemy, we will receive all the benefits, and all of Haman's possessions will be ours. This is how we react when facing a crisis. Today, we still face crises. Do not be weakened by my weakness, but rather be strengthened by my weakness.

There Will Always Be Those Who Seek to Destroy God's Chosen People

Regardless of your choice, you may choose to be a weak person, unwilling to offend Haman. But do not think that if you do not offend Haman, the devil will not destroy you. Do not think that weakness can solve the problem; learn to be strong and courageous. There will always be someone seeking to destroy you. You can either be like the Israelites in Egypt as slaves, or you can leave Egypt and become God's chosen people, becoming God's mighty army, and begin to receive God's promises. Rev. Zhou Shenzhu said at the home gathering: I am not perfect, and neither are you. But thank our God, who uses us imperfect people to accomplish his perfect work. We may have many problems, but as long as we are willing to let God use us, the devil and the enemy cannot destroy us because of our problems or weaknesses, as long as we have such faith in God in our hearts.

The enemy's destruction of us is a spiritual matter, not a worldly one. The enemy is eager to destroy our church. If there is a church like ours in this world, he will do everything he can to destroy it. The more we please God, the more the devil wants to destroy us. The more courageous you are, the more powerful the devil standing before you becomes, but we must not be afraid, because it is a spiritual matter. On the surface, it seems that Mordecai caused the trouble, but in fact, whether Mordecai caused trouble or not, the enemy would still destroy him. It was because of Mordecai and Esther that the whole event began to turn around. When the day of turnaround comes, you will be very surprised at how quickly everything happens.

Every time brothers and sisters experience a crisis, I pray fervently for you. When I see God's promises, I am shocked. There is nothing that cannot be turned around. Although it is a very small thing, we train our faith through these small things. If these small things cannot train our faith in God, how can you turn around your nation? Turn around your family? So, brothers and sisters, I encourage everyone again, when the church faces a crisis, are you willing to give your time to pray for the church? When the church encounters a crisis, compromise is useless.

The Conditions for God's Work

God must choose a vessel that can be used, and this vessel must become a glorious and honourable vessel. A few days ago, every night I saw some brothers and sisters in the church, praying fervently for the church. I was sitting in the office, and I could hear the sound of prayer coming from the next room. They were not praying for their own benefit, but for the church. I was very moved; such people cannot but be blessed. God is searching in heaven and on earth for usable vessels, and whether you are such a vessel determines whether you are the blessed one. Esther could have chosen to take care of herself in the face of the crisis, or she could have chosen to stand up. And Mordecai told Esther: Was it not for today's crisis that God raised you up? You can take care of yourself, and God will surely find a vessel from elsewhere to deliver the Jews. If you only choose to take care of yourself, then God's glory has nothing to do with you. Why does God have to find His usable vessel? Because God works with people. As long as there is a small group of people praying in this place, then that place has to turn around.

In the past few decades, the gospel work in Japan has been very difficult. A Japanese pastor preached for many years, only to chairs, with no one in the church. One day, someone walked in, a person with an infectious disease. The pastor chose to serve him at the risk of his life. Later, this person was turned around and became his co-worker. Today, because there is a group of pastors like this in Japan, the gospel work in Japan has been completely turned around. The brothers and sisters who participate in home gatherings in Japan believe in the Lord very enthusiastically, completely surpassing our Singaporean brothers and sisters.

We really have to rise up and become a vessel that God can use. To become this vessel, what must we do? Not rely on your manpower, financial resources, or your knowledge, but rely on your heartfelt prayer before God. Let us kneel before God, for this place, for our nation, with a great dream, praying wholeheartedly, seeing our church become a blessing to all nations and peoples on earth. Seeing our church multiply and fill the earth. At that time, you will surely receive honour, and God will surely put a golden crown on your head. You will surely be blessed materially, and God will plunder all of Haman's wealth and give it to you, because you are the vessel that God wants to bless.

Singapore’s spiritual landscape is in urgent need of a turnaround. On September 14th, 15th, and 16th, Rev. Zhou Shenzhu will bring the entire home gathering team to Singapore. I hope that our brothers and sisters have such enthusiasm, to be able to worship and pray with all the saints, so that God’s throne can be established in Singapore, so that Singapore can be completely turned around, no longer in its current desolate state.

As Long as God is at Work, No One, Nothing Can Harm God's Chosen People

All the vessels that God uses are people of faith. Through spiritual eyes, they can see rivers in the desert. As long as your spiritual eyes can see rivers, you can open rivers there, make roads in the wilderness, and perform miracles and wonders. It is not that we like miracles and wonders, but that our faith can manifest God's power in His glory. Brothers and sisters, the church is still desolate today. Someone in the church once told me: Pastor, look at that church, they used to have only a dozen or twenty people, now they have grown to two hundred. Look at our church, after all these years, it is still the same. I was saddened when I heard this. I am saddened by how many brothers and sisters are willing to share the dream in my heart? Willing to see through faith that God is already doing marvelous things among us? Whenever I say this, someone will say that I am proud and showing off. I do not want to show off myself; I want to show off the wonderful new things that God is doing among us.

God is a God who does new things, and He is never short of old things. God wants to find a vessel to do new things, and nothing can destroy us. Not only can it not destroy us, but it can also make us a vessel to turn around this generation. In my heart, there is a great dream, and that dream is to multiply and fill the earth. Some of our brothers and sisters have said in their circles: We are going to release six books! As a result, people who used to come to our church left messages below saying: Really? God is really with you! I am also very encouraged when I hear such words. Brothers and sisters, the enemy cannot harm us. Although the enemy wants to destroy us, in my heart, not only can the enemy not destroy us, but we will also see the time when God turns us around coming so quickly. We must have such a dream in our hearts: we want to become a blessing to this generation, a mighty vessel that God can use, no matter what the conditions, we are willing.

Haman's End

Haman did not die at the hands of the Israelites, but at the hand of God. He did not die because of the Jews, Mordecai, or Esther, but because of his own pride and arrogance. If a man is for his own power, that is pride and arrogance; if a man is for the dream of the Kingdom of God, even if it seems arrogant, it is nothing. Paul said, If I am out of my mind, it is for God. He did not say this for his own gain. For the dream of the Kingdom of God, what does it matter if one takes some risks and receives criticism and judgment from others? But I long for the families of our brothers and sisters to be blessed through you. As we spread out, the whole earth will be filled with the glory of God. I long to see that day come quickly. Although the enemy wants to harm us, because of their arrogance and pride, even if their words are harsh, they are only digging a pit for themselves to fall into; they erect a gallows, only to be hanged on it themselves. The enemy will not succeed. For God is the God who created all things in the universe.

The Day of Destruction Became a Day of Annihilation of Enemies, Obtaining Honour and Wealth!

The thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, was originally the day the Jews were to be annihilated. The date had been set, and the decree had been issued in one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, and many were stirred up to kill the Jews. But in the later ninth chapter, you will see that this day turned into a day for the Jews to annihilate their enemies.

Today, some may say that we are not far from the day of annihilation. But I say to you, that day will be the day we annihilate our enemies!

I think Esther was able to find favour in the eyes of King Ahasuerus, not because of human effort, but because of God's work. It was because God chose Esther to be the salvation of the Jews that she found favour with the king. If we can be like Mordecai and Esther, vessels chosen by God, we will surely find favour in the eyes of the world, and we will surely find favour in the eyes of the king. No matter what situation we are in, God will help us, because we are to find favour in the eyes of the world for God's sake.

The thirteenth day of the twelfth month, Adar, is the day of annihilation of the enemy, and I long for this day to be a day we celebrate. The day we annihilate our enemies is the day we rise up to build God's glorious temple.

Obtaining Wealth and Honour as Rewards

In this crisis reversal, Mordecai and Esther appeared to take great risks, stepping forward to save the Jews. When our brothers and sisters face such a crisis, I encourage you not to be afraid to step forward because of fear. You can begin to see that when Mordecai and Esther, with the faith of if I perish, I perish, took on the responsibility of saving the nation, they did not encounter real danger. After this crisis passed, Mordecai gained honour, and all the possessions of Haman, the enemy, became the spoil of Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews.

That is to say, God delights in those who are not afraid of danger, who are strong and courageous in faith. When they overcome such trials, they receive wealth and honour as rewards. This is a wonderful arrangement of God. The Gospel of Matthew says, For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25). Everyone must know that God has already given us victory. What we must do is stand firm in faith until God's salvation comes. God's intention is for us to be victorious and then receive God's rewards.

Sinning and Forsaking God Will Cast Oneself into a Snare

In fact, the enemy has no way to harm us. Only when a person chooses to sin will they hand themselves over to the enemy. In the Book of Numbers, Balaam was very clear about this. He knew that he could not curse the Israelites by using magic. So he used enticement to make the Israelites sin. Therefore, on that day, the Israelites were struck down by God, and many died.

That is to say, nothing in the world can overcome us, but if we choose to walk the path of the flesh and sin, we will not be able to overcome the enemy. So I encourage brothers and sisters to begin to live a holy life. When we enter into God's will, we will receive God's mercy, we will receive favour, and we will receive wealth as a reward. For our God is definitely not a God who does not eat the food of mortals. Our God is very real, and He will surely let you receive wealth as a reward in this world. If we enter into God's will and learn to live a holy life, nothing will be able to harm us!

Scripture:

Est 7:1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet,
Est 7:2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It will be granted you. What is your request? Even up to half my kingdom, it will be done.”
Est 7:3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.
Est 7:4 For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.”
Est 7:5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he—the man who has dared to do such a thing?”
Est 7:6 Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen.
Est 7:7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had determined his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.
Est 7:8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
Est 7:9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Hang him on it!”
Est 7:10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.
Est 8:1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her.
Est 8:2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed Mordecai over Haman’s estate.
Est 8:3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite against the Jews.
Est 8:4 Then the king extended his gold scepter to Esther and she rose and stood before him.
Est 8:5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and sent out to destroy all the Jews in all the king’s provinces.
Est 8:6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
Est 8:7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up.
Est 8:8 Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”
Est 8:9 At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. These orders were written in the script of each province and the language of each people and also to the Jews in their own script and language.
Est 8:10 Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses bred in the royal stables.
Est 8:11 The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies.
Est 8:12
Est 8:13 A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
Est 8:14 The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king’s command. The edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa.
Est 8:15 Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.
Est 8:16 For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.
Est 8:17 In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.