IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

Esther 6:1 That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they read before the king. And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” So the king said, “Who is in the court?”

Are you picturing that timing? You see in Chapter 5 we were just told that Haman is devising a plan to kill Mordecai the next day and that night the king cannot sleep, so he decides to have someone read to him. And where does the reader just ‘happen’ to pick up and start reading? And when the Reader got to the part in the chronicle that told how Mordecai had saved the king from assassination, and the king was feeling oh so grateful, who walks in? Haman, of course. And what was Haman there to say to the king? To request that the king allow Mordecai to be hanged on the gallows that Haman had prepared for him. Oh what timing!! And ONLY God could orchestrate it! And moreover not only could He orchestrate it, HE DID!! What’s that tell you?

And if you read on you will find that Haman tells the king what he thinks should be done to honor such an ‘one’ (Haman thinks he’s the one to receive the honor) and then the king gives that very privilege to Haman to do FOR Mordecai; to parade Mordecai through the streets wearing a robe that had been worn by the king, on a horse that had been ridden by the king and to shout to all on the streets that this is what is done to one whom the king delights to honor. Can you imagine it? Can’t you just see Haman? And then reading on into chapter 7 Esther speaks to the king and pleads for her life and the life of her people and names Haman as the one who has plotted and arranged for their deaths. Now can you imagine just how furious is the king? Somebody, but not just anybody, Haman is messing with his queen! And with this, is the demise of Haman in verses 9 and 10. “ . . . Then the king said, “Hang him on it!” 10. So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. . . . .”

Yep! We can safely trust the Lord’s timing and we can safely trust Him when He says in Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

So are you waiting on something that seems to be ‘forever’ in coming? Have you been mistreated; wronged terribly? Then let the Holy Spirit use these Scriptures to encourage you and give you peace in your waiting. His timing is perfect and His justice is sure!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Update on Sparky: He is still in SICU, so he is still getting excellent observation and attention. He is still very sick, but his improvement has been phenomenal.

ABBA, again and again this story delights me, not that Haman was such a man as to end as he did but that You are worthy of our trust and that You are faithful and You are oh so brilliant in Your timings; that You take care of details like no other. You are my delight! Thank You.

And ABBA we are specifically adding a broad request this morning for IDOKs who’s children or grandchildren are exhibiting behavior that gives concern about the child’s salvation. And as I pray that, two young girls come to mind that I saw on the street in our neighbor today, young and pretty and dressed so immodestly; attire that to me says they have no idea how much You value them, that somewhere in their young life experiences they have missed respecting themselves and others. Please have mercy and send one of Your choice saints to love them and show them Your better way. And do that too for these IDOK children and grandchildren, send choice servants to love them to the cross for repentance and assurance. And I pray for the concerned parents that they will listen closely to You as You instruct them to respond to their children, both proactively and reactively. It is crucial that they carry Your wisdom with them into every encounter; help them do that. Thank You for Sparky’s continued improvement and we pray for a full recovery for him. We pray again for Louise, for Your best for her to be made real in her. And we pray for these others too and others are coming to mind right now, Amber and Linda; You know the needs there and I am asking You to meet them all. We ask that You keep our IDOK Troops safe and protected in spirit, soul and body and that each of them return home safe and sound at the appointed time. And I pray for the ministries of our local churches, revive and call Your people to step up and accept and serve out of their gifts given to them for the Body of Christ. I pray for Israel for peace and protection. I pray for the people of America that You will grant grace and space to repent and I pray for we Your Church that we will get off the sidelines and do this thing in Your Name. Amen and amen.

A Specific Unspoken.

Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.

Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true.

Louise. Sparky S. C David. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary.. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters.

Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry

Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Costa Rica

The Ministry of IDOK

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

IDOKs Military Families.

IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 84°F and haze in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:09 AM AST on September 9, 2009.