God’s will – Somerset Church of Christ

September 24, 2025

For such a time as this

The story of Esther is one of divine providence. She was being raised by her relative Mordecai, who was in Susa due to the Babylonian exile of the Jews, because she had no living parents. They likely died when the exile took place. The short story is that she became queen to King Ahasuerus but he didn’t know she was a Jew. When Mordecai became aware of a plot by Haman to kill the Jews, he secretly devised a plan with Esther.

Esther was scared to tell the king but Mordecai was quick to call her out on it and reminded her of her purpose. He said, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). We know the rest of the story, and Esther saved the Jews through her courage and faithfulness.

A lot of us struggle, like Esther did, to understand our purpose. Was it a coincidence that she became queen? Was she really the one to save the Jews? And on the questions and doubt come. Paul makes it crystal clear in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God’s “handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Yet often, like Esther, we hesitate. Mordecai was also put there for a purpose, to remind Esther that she was put in her position by God “for such a time as this.” We need both Modecais and Esthers in this life. When you struggle with finding your purpose, find a Mordecai who will help you see it. When you see it, live it to the best of your ability.

July 31, 2025

God knows His plans for you

Some of us are planners. Others are not. But, regardless of where we are on that spectrum, when our world comes crashing down, we all begin to lose hope. Morale declines quickly when we don’t see any viable solutions to bad predicaments. This was certainly the case for the southern tribes of Israel when the Babylonians ransacked the capital of Judah by destroying Jerusalem. Not only did they destroy the city, including the temple, but they also exiled most of the people.

Jeremiah, who was one of the most hated prophets, never stopped preaching. Even though the people wouldn’t listen and repent, he kept preaching. Jeremiah warned the Israelites to repent. Instead of listening, they mocked Jeremiah. His scrolls were read, torn, and thrown into a fire at the orders of King Zedekiah. He was imprisoned and then thrown into a cistern and left for dead. Yet Jeremiah still encouraged the Israelites. He told the faithful remnant to remain faithful.

Jeremiah wrote a letter that said, “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you” (Jeremiah 29:10-12). God went on to say, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (vs. 13). Unfortunately, Jeremiah never lived to see that day. Seventy years later Cyrus allowed the Jews to come back to Jerusalem to rebuild. This is recorded in the scriptures. We have to trust that God has plans for us. His way and his will are perfect! No matter what comes our way, God’s plans will prevail.

October 30, 2024

What Does God Want from Us?

Many Christians suffer from a lack of clear purpose. They either don’t know what God has in store for them or they are blinded to what that purpose is. This is not uncommon, and mankind has suffered with this from the beginning. Paul said that he was straining toward the goal. He had a very clear sense of purpose and knew what he needed to do to accomplish it. But for many of us, it’s not so cut-and-dry. We may be confused, lack direction, or simply just don’t know where to begin.

The Israelites were reprimanded by God through Michah for their lack of faithfulness to God. God asked the rhetorical questions, “What have I done to you? How have I wearied you?” (Micah 6:3). It was God who rescued them from Egypt and who provided for them in the desert. God was the one who put them in a land flowing with milk and honey. Yet they rebelled against him and each other. Nobody was safe from oppression. Anything and everything was fair game.

God again asked the rhetorical question, “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?” (vs. 7). Of course not! God wanted his people to do righteousness. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (vs. 8). This message is just as true today as it was in the 700s B.C. When we do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God, everything else will come into focus. Churches will be healthy and people will take care of their neighbors.