DAILY?READINGS: Judges 2:6 to 3:4; Isaiah 22:15 to 23:18; 1 Cor. 2
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. Esther 5:2
Haman had the ear of King Xerxes, getting his approval for the annihilation of the Jews. Queen Esther bravely sought audience with Xerxes and it was granted by the touch of his golden sceptre. In contrast, when faced with Israel’s extermination Moses “besought the Lord his God” (Ex. 32:11). I have read that the literal translation is, “He stroked the face of God.” We do not plead with a capricious, selfish king. We enter the presence of a Father who has already given His best for us. We too may reverently plead, “stroking His face.” “How shall he not… freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). —Marilyn MacMullen
So near, so very near to God, I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of His Son I am as near as He.—Horatius Bonar