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Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the provinces of King Xerxes, calling on them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days. He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy. Ester 9:20-22
Today is Purim in the Hebrew calendar, a commemoration of the Jewish people’s deliverance from a Persian attempt to utterly exterminate them. Only in the Nazi death camps some 2,400 years later would the Jews face such a concerted threat to their very existence. Small wonder that to this day they celebrate Purim with joy.
One of the ways they demonstrate their thankfulness to God for delivering them is to give to the needy, just as Mordecai instructed. They give away food baskets and other gifts of food, so that everyone will be able to celebrate the Lord’s goodness.
Are you in trouble, on the verge of disaster? Trust in God! When David was in danger of being killed, he prayed, “Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; fighting all day he oppresses me.” Then he confidently declared, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:1, 3).
Has God ever delivered you from great trouble? Take a few moments to think back on times God has mightily helped you. And pause to give thanks. He’s still all-powerful and able to deliver you from new troubles.
Today is Purim in the Hebrew calendar, a commemoration of the Jewish people’s deliverance from a Persian attempt to utterly exterminate them. Only in the Nazi death camps some 2,400 years later would the Jews face such a concerted threat to their very existence. Small wonder that to this day they celebrate Purim with joy.
One of the ways they demonstrate their thankfulness to God for delivering them is to give to the needy, just as Mordecai instructed. They give away food baskets and other gifts of food, so that everyone will be able to celebrate the Lord’s goodness.
Are you in trouble, on the verge of disaster? Trust in God! When David was in danger of being killed, he prayed, “Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; fighting all day he oppresses me.” Then he confidently declared, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:1, 3).
Has God ever delivered you from great trouble? Take a few moments to think back on times God has mightily helped you. And pause to give thanks. He’s still all-powerful and able to deliver you from new troubles.
