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Foe such a time as this - Esther 4:14
At leadership meeting last night we considered this verse, the God who knows all things and is able to work all things together for good for those who love him, is very aware of all that is happening. We have to believe that we are in place to serve the Church community through this time. We can have confidence that (as Katie shared this morning in our family prayers) we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil 4:13).
Jesus himself knew the need of grace as he walked through the last week heading to the cross. In Luke 20 we get an insight into some of the events that were happening. As he taught in the temple area there was rising tension as to who had authority, the chief priests and teachers of the law felt threatened by Jesus, they kept trying to trip him up with questions about taxation or marriage. From his side he does seem to deliberately provoke them, in Lk 20:9 -19 we have the parable of the tenants which his enemies knew was deliberately aimed at them. The people will have to choose which way to go. Today we have to make daily choices, will we obey the government requests or not? It is only for a short period.
I was reminded of another old truism (not Biblical) but a good saying: This too shall pass
I found an explanation that it came from the jewish midrash, teachings about scripture, and it explains that It comes from a Yiddish tale about King Soloman.
King Soloman wanted to teach Benaiah a lesson in humility. He told Benaiah “I have heard rumors of a fabulous ring that has a unique power. When a sad man gazes upon it, he becomes happy, but when a happy man gazes upon it, he becomes sad. Find this ring and bring it to me.”
Benaiah set out in search of the ring, but no one had ever heard of such a ring. He was about to give up when he spotted a junk shop. Benaiah approached the owner and described the object of his search.
“A ring that cheers the sad and saddens the cheerful?” said the junk dealer. “Come inside.”
They entered the shop. From a boxful of baubles the junk dealer took a plain, silver ring. He engraved some words on it and gave it to Benaiah. Benaiah read the inscription, nodded sagely, and headed back to the palace.
King Solomon was expecting an unsuccessful and humbled Benaiah. So when Benaiah strode in and handed him the ring, the king was taken aback. Inspecting it, he read the inscription and laughed, “It was I who needed a lesson in humility,” he said. “This ring has reminded me that wealth and power are fleeting things.” King Solomon removed his costly rings and slipped on the ring from the junk shop.
The Yiddish phrase on engraved on the ring:
GAM ZU YAAVOR (“This too shall pass”)
Jesus knew that his time was close, he knew what was to happen, ordained from outside of time in eternity, God ordained to send his son to die for us, sin would be atoned for, love would conquer sin and death, new life would flow through God's creation. There would be a time of suffering but it would pass and for this time Jesus had come and so 'for the joy set before him he endured the cross' Heb 12:2
Our time to love and serve each other and our communities is upon us, Not going to be easy but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens! I believe God is going to pour out his spirit in an amazing way, we are going to have to keep up with his grace and mercy. Let us choose to enter into this time trusting in God's sovereign will to bring hope from despair, to establish light over darkness, to see life triumph over death, for such a time as this!