Have you ever had one of those days?  A day when everything that could go wrong did?  First, you overslept.  Then the car wouldn’t start.  Your dog ran away.  Then your computer crashed.  Your credit card company called asking if you have made any large purchases recently in Indonesia.  And a letter from the IRS awaited you at home with some vague but ominous language.  Did they say “audit”?  Just what you needed to assure a good night’s rest!

Did I over-do it?  Ok, maybe a little.  But sometimes it really does seem like everything that can go wrong does.  So how do you respond?  The word perspective comes to mind.

Listen to what the psalm writer did in Psalm 121:1-2, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills – from whence comes my help?  My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”

Lifting up your eyes to the mountains is to focus on something massive, enduring, and truly great.  And God made them!  Just think – the God who shaped and formed the mountains holds you in the palm of His hand!

Go outside and look up at the moon and stars.  The God who spoke the heavens into existence and calls the stars by name is the One who watches over you every moment of every day. 

Look in the mirror and consider the hairs of your head.  God knows their exact number.  Run a brush or comb through your hair a few times.  The data bank of heaven does an instant recalculation.  This is the God who knows all the personal details of your life.

Perspective reminds us that God is BIGGER than all the things that can go wrong.  When you are having “one of those days,” just lift up your eyes to the God who made heaven and earth.  He sees, He knows, and He cares!  

Pastor Todd Weston

The OT book of Esther is an exciting read. It’s a book full of intrigue, drama, and suspense.  Esther, a member of a conquered and enslaved nation, was miraculously chosen as queen of the Persian empire.  Like Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon, Esther was suddenly promoted to a position of influence in Persia.
 
Shortly after her appointment, a conspiracy against the Jewish people was revealed to her.  The mastermind behind the conspiracy was the king’s right-hand man, Haman.  Because of a perceived insult by Esther’s uncle Mordecai, Haman determined to exterminate the Jewish people.  Of course, Haman was not aware of Esther’s nationality or her relationship to Mordecai.

The plot thickens when Esther is made to realize she must risk her life to save her people.  The risk was real.  In Persia, people didn’t just walk into the throne room of the king.  To approach the throne without being summoned could result in death.  Oriental kings were very arrogant and finicky.  If they chose to hold out the golden scepter, the life of the uninvited visitor would be spared.  But if not, the intruder would be executed on the spot.  To make matters worse, Esther had not been called to the throne in a month. 
  
Finally, in a desperate attempt to save the Jews from annihilation, Esther approached the throne in fear and trepidation saying, “If I perish, I perish.”  The story has a happy ending.  Grace was extended.  The plot was uncovered.  The Jews were saved.  And Haman was hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.

Even though she was the Queen, Esther was afraid because she didn’t have confidence of access.  She didn’t have confidence to approach the king. But we do!  Hebrews 4:16 is our standing invitation to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence to obtain mercy in time of need.  And Hebrews 10:19-22 extends the invitation again to draw near to the throne of grace with hearts full of confidence!
 
You never have to go before God’s throne in fear and trepidation saying, “If I perish, I perish.”  The golden scepter
of grace is always extended to those who approach God’s throne.  So don’t linger in the outer courts another moment.  Enter in, past the torn veil, into the very throne room of God. Through Jesus Christ, we have access!
 
Pastor Todd