A Change

While studying today I realized again how very special the Word of God is and why it holds so much meaning for me.

I am studying the book of Esther along with some other women and technically with Beth Moore since it is her bible study. I am behind in my daily lessons because I simply forgot them with all the busyness I had this past week. Now I am trying to catch up. Anyway, this lesson I am on is about Esther 4:4-8...

"4 So Esther’s maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther called Hathach,one of the king’s eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square that was in front of the king’s gate. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people."

The portion that stood out to me was the discussion about verse 4. Esther sends Mordecia clothes and he refused them. There is speculation as to why she did this... I felt being Queen and Mordecia being her guardian she was embarrassed by him. The book said maybe she wanted him to change so he could come see her, he couldn't as he was dressed.

Beth Moore explains that sackcloth and ashes were a way to make a person humble and as one who is dead. It is a noticeable change in status and state. It was a form of repentance. She said, "He needed more than a change of clothes." All the Jewish people there did.... and another statement was "Most of our problems are a world deeper than our appearance." That made me think of a song and one specific lyric in it... God's gotta change her heart before he changes her shirt." (Casting Crowns, What this World Needs).

Too many times we want to change the way someone looks on the outside, so they will feel better on the inside. It doesn't work that way. You have to change the inside to make the outside look better. We tell people who are sad or depressed, "smile, it will make it better". When that really won't help or if it does it is a temporary fix.

I want to be someone who gets this and doesn't look on the outward appearance... I want to see the heart of the matter. I want to be a catalysis of change that God can use in myself and others. I need a change of heart :)

Casting Crowns Song