The Hidden Providence of God || God invisibly works through Esther to reverse the effects of evil and save his people. Esther 9:22 (NLT) ...a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy. What’s the story about? 9:1 So on March 7* ...the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but quite the opposite happened. It was the Jews who overpowered their enemies. With God, you’re always getting more than you’re seeing. (ch 6-9) He’s invisibly working to the effects of & plans for evil. bring ultimate from our enemies. The Festival of Purim (9:22) 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. c. & his people. (ch 8) By taking our suffering and giving us his reward Jesus reverses our painful story, rescues us from our greatest enemy (death) and rewards us with eternal rest. 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10 (NLT) 5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. 7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him. CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: 1. In your opinion, what’s the most hard hitting (or your favorite) part of the Esther story? 2. Can you think of and tell a story about your own life where it appeared God was absent until “quite the opposite” happened? 3. For all who trust in Jesus, He invisibly works to bring ultimate relief from our enemies and turn our sorrow into gladness and our mourning into joy. a. In what area of your life do you need to trust that God’s turning sorrow/mourning into gladness/joy?