Peter introduces himself in his first letter as rooted in Jesus Christ. For believers our identity is sealed by the blood of Christ as His beloved. This world is not our home, and living as a Christian will mean rejecting the easy way of the world, but our identity is secure in our Savior. 

Our lament can quickly turn to praise, trust and hope because of the promises of God. Through Christ and His atoning death and resurrection, by faith we can be saved to fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore, knowing we will never be abandoned or forgotten.

Esther protected her people with faith and courage, and in conquering their enemies they represented God's justice. This conquering wasn't political or social, but rather spiritual, and in response to deliverance they were commissioned to celebrate Purim each year; a reminder of God's victory and steadfast love for His people. Today as the church we ought to often celebrate the wonderful things that God has done for us.

In Esther 8 we see the story completely turn. She has endured through a long struggle to finally save her people, the Jews. Like Esther, Christians have two choices in their daily lives; the way of fear or the way of faith. In Christ we know that "perfect love casts out fear".

In exposing her ethnicity and becoming vulnerable to death, Esther seeks liberty and justice in Persia. Because of her courage and reputation, the king listens to her and brings destruction on Human, the one who wanted destruction for the Jews. As Christians today we are to be conduits of the good news of Christ who set the example for us in self-sacrifice.

The events of Esther now are realized to be comedy. In a matter of hours in dramatic irony, God's providence leads to the honor of Mordecai instead of Haman, showing that God is not just in the mountaintop moments in our life, but also in every small moment.

Esther has fasted, prayed and planned to meet with the king about the salvation of the Jews. Her faith and courage for her people points us to Jesus, who came purposefully and gave His life to ransom slaves to sin.

When the issue becomes greater than a simple solution, Esther is faced with a massive decision. Mordecai's faith in God's deliverance of the Jews is what ultimately encourages Esther in that same faith where she will risk her life for her people just as Christ will do at Calvary.

It is difficult to stand against the culture and conformity of the world, in fact it led Jesus to the cross. Believers in Christ are called to not conform to this world but stand apart of the sake of the gospel, and no matter what happens, the Lord will bring them home.

No one can choose where they are born, to whom they are born, or when they are born. Despite the injustice and cruelty that goes on in the world, God works providentially to fulfill His plan and purposes. In the end there is everlasting joy, peace, love and glory of the One who keeps covenant promises.