We Have a Choice

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Esther 4-7 and Revelation 11.

Observe v. 14 in Esther 4
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

In context, Mordecai was reminding Esther of her obligation as a Jew to save her own people. And indeed her own life!
Notice the first part "then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from ANOTHER place." and then "but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed"

Brethren, sometimes we seem to think "oh so and so didn't have a choice, it was God's will". Judas Iscariot often comes to mind. He's the "unsung hero". Without him, Christ would not have died and the world would still be in sin.
This passage in Esther clearly highlights the fact that all of us HAVE A CHOICE. Yes, God's Will will be done. BUT we will still have to bear our own consequences. Esther could have been a coward and refuse to speak to the king. As Mordecai pointed out, God would have another means to deliver His people, but Esther may very well still be killed.
I have no doubt that even if Judas had not betrayed Jesus, God's will would still have been done. God merely made use of his betrayal. It was Judas' OWN choice to betray Jesus. He was offered a chance to repent but blew it away yet again when he decided to take his own life. Again his OWN choice.

On the other hand, we have one like Joseph who made the right choice to resist his master's wife's advances, yet was maligned and thrown into jail. But in the end, Joseph finally rose up from the ashes and became Egypt's prime minster.
What if Joseph had succumbed? Perhaps he might have conspired with the wife and murdered Potiphar. And then maybe, the wife might have gotten tired of him and got rid of him. Or what if Joseph died in prison?

You see brethren, we can go on and on in endless speculation. The fact of the matter is that we have a choice to do what is right in God's sight and that is really all that matters.
Esther could have been killed if the king did not raise his sceptre. Joseph could have been forgotten and died in prison. OR Esther could have kept mum and perhaps continue to enjoy the pleasures of royalty. Joseph could have succumbed and continue to enjoy his good fortune. But in the former cases, both would have been righteous before God and have their place in heaven, while in the latter, despite possible material success, would have been condemned to hell.
Our choices should be based on what is right. Not all right choices will have favourable consequences (at least in the worldly sense)! But ultimately, doing so, we will have our ETERNAL reward in heaven.
Question is - would we rather die as the rich man or as Lazarus?

God help us all to always choose the right thing to do.

in Him
Paul

--
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. ~ Acts 8:5
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ~ Acts 8:12