God's Reversals

Independent Bible Church

God's Reversals

June 30, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • Esther 9—10

Today, we conclude with the amazing wrap up of “Esther: Silent Sovereignty.” Doomsday had been set for the destruction of the Jews (3:13). A counter-decree was issued (8:11-12). What would happen on the fateful day? What lessons are we to learn?

Providence Fulfills Promises

June 23, 2024 • Pastor Mark Johnson • Esther 8

Providence is God’s purposeful sovereignty or “the hand of God in the glove of history.” The entire Book of Esther, without mentioning God’s name, illustrates His providence fulfilling His promises to His people. As New Covenant believers, we rightly relish Romans 8:28. God’s people the Jews, even in their exile in the days of Esther, could count on the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:3. Esther 8 continued to sort out the fortunes of Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews in Persia. Notice the God sightings even though He is not mentioned directly!

Salvation Through Judgment

June 16, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Esther 6:14—7:10

Psalm 73:27 promises that God will vanquish all his enemies. In Esther 7, God sovereignly brings the evil Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to an end. Though God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, themes of the gospel run throughout. We see that God delivers justice against all evil-doers, but provides grace for all sinners who turn from their sin and trust in him.

Tables are Turned

June 2, 2024 • Pastor Phillip Macdonald • Esther 5:1—6:13

God certainly isn’t the only one who makes plans — we all like to think that we are in control and we all make plans for the future. However, God’s plans are the only ones that ultimately prevail (Landon Dowden, Esther). God can quickly and sovereignly turn the tables on our selfish dreams and goals. Esther shows us we can trust that God uses seemingly insignificant events and the decisions of less-than-perfect people to fulfill his promises. We can take confidence in the fact that all of Satan’s plans will be frustrated, and all of God’s plans will be accomplished.