Esther 2:19-3:15 // Sustained in the Face of Opposition

Chapter 2 ends with Mordecai uncovering a plot to kill the King. In chapter 3, Haman enters as the “villain” of the story who sets in motion a plan to annihilate the Jews throughout the empire. We see a tension here that continues throughout the book - a battle between God’s people and the enemies of God’s people. Yet Christ, by his grace, sustains his people through every trial and opposition.

Esther 1:1-22 // God's Work in a Messy World

The Book of Esther is about the surprising providence of God that is at work among his people, even in the darkest of times. Even though God's name is not mentioned once in the entire book, the sovereign hand of God is at work, bringing about his good purposes. In Chapter 1, we learn of the harsh setting in which the story takes place. We also begin to see that even in a world of pride, the pursuit of sinful pleasure, and the abuse of power, God has not forgotten his people.

1 Corinthians 15:12-22 // A Lasting & Living Hope

Easter is a day on which we highlight in a special way the victorious resurrection of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul tells us how Christians, formerly held captive by the reign of sin in death, now reign in righteousness and look forward to eternal life through Jesus Christ their Lord.

Romans 8:35-39 // More Than Conquerors

John Stott comments on this section of scripture: "This is the love of God which was supremely displayed in the cross (5:8; 8:32, 37), which has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (5:5), which has drawn out from us our responsive love (8:28) and which in its essential steadfastness will never let us go, since it is committed to bringing us safe home to glory in the end (8:35, 39). Our confidence is not in our love for him, which is frail, fickle and faltering, but in his love for us, which is steadfast, faithful and persevering."

Romans 8:31-32 // He Who Did Not Spare His Own Son

These 2 verses are filled with rhetorical questions meant to instill courage, hope, and freedom in the hearts of believers: What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? To all who are weary, burdened, anxious, overwhelmed, and discouraged - come and hear.

Romans 8:28-30 // The Golden Chain

In this passage, we see the complete, unbreakable path of God’s saving acts so that believers are assured of their eternal security, and consequently can “be conformed” to the image of God’s Son. Our God is sovereign and our salvation is utterly secure: God works all things for our ultimate good - and those whom God has foreknown before the dawn of time will one day be glorified.

Romans 8:26-27 // The Spirit Helps Us In Our Weakness

This passage encourages the Christian with a remarkable truth: in our weakness, when we do not know what to pray, the Spirit himself intercedes for us in and through our unspeakable groans. And when the Spirit intercedes, God always answers in the affirmative, since the Spirit always prays in accord with God’s will.

Romans 8:17-25 // Great Suffering - Greater Glory

In this passage, Paul gives us an essential perspective on suffering and the Christian Life. There is a coming glory that is beyond anything that we can imagine; A glory so incredible that one day all of our pain, suffering, and struggle will suddenly make sense. The message of Romans 8:18-25 is this: Christian, you will suffer, but incomparable glory is coming, so endure today with hope-filled patience.