14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
To Ponder
The context behind today's reading is that Esther was extremely anxious after a plot was discovered to bring destruction and harm to her people. Though Esther was in a position close to the King and could do something about it, she didn't know what to do. We who know the story understand that God had placed her in that position, but in the moment, Esther's anxiety clouded her vision.
Today's verse is spoken to Esther by Mordecai, her uncle. What he did was remind her that she was in her position perhaps for this very reason, purpose, and time. Esther went on to act with courage—but only after Mordecai spoke to her.
How many of us find ourselves in positions where we feel anxious, under pressure, or filled with self-doubt? Perhaps we know others—friends or loved ones—who are facing similar struggles with anxiety and pressure. This is where we need to listen carefully to others, as God may be speaking through them to give us wisdom and encouragement. Or perhaps we are called to be the ones speaking words of encouragement to others, reassuring them that God is with them in their current positions and will guide them in the decisions they need to make.
We all need reminding at times, no matter what position we're in, that God is the one who is with us and guiding us. Because of this truth, we can face difficulties and act with courage.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when anxiety clouds our vision and pressure weighs heavy on our hearts, remind us that you have placed us exactly where we are for such a time as this. Help us to be alert when you speak to us through the wise counsel of others.
Give us courage like Esther's to step forward when you call, trusting that you go before us. When friends and loved ones face their own moments of doubt, help us to bring your encouragement, speaking words that point them back to your faithful presence.
We thank you that no position is too small, no challenge too great, and no moment too ordinary for your purposes. In our weakness, be our strength. In our uncertainty, be our guide. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Today’s devotion written by Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
To Ponder
If you have been following the daily verses the last few days you will notice a common theme. God lifts up/raises/exalts the humble. Today as I read this reading the question that I had was: Why does God lift up the humble?
Two things stood out to me that are worth pondering.
First, God shows humility. Think about Jesus for a moment. God who created the universe at all that exists, sends his son Jesus, born as a child in a manger. The King of the universe becomes human shows the heart of a servant. There is something about those who are humble who mirror God’s own character and heart. That mirror Jesus himself. God is seen clearly and reveals himself in those who are humble, rather than those who are proud and arrogant.
Secondly, those who are humble recognize reality: we are created beings, totally dependent on God's grace. We didn't make ourselves, save ourselves, or gift ourselves with abilities. Humility simply acknowledges what is true—that apart from God, we can do nothing. God lifts up those who understand this because, unlike those who are like the proud rulers in our reading today, they are the ones in a position to receive his grace in their hearts.
Prayer
Gracious Father, Thank you for showing us what true humility looks like through Jesus, who came not with pride or power, but with the heart of a servant. Teach us to walk in humility, remembering that every gift, every breath, and every ability comes from you alone. Keep us dependent on your grace and open to your leading, so that in our weakness your strength may be seen. Lift us up, not for our own glory, but that our lives might reflect your character and draw others closer to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s devotion written by Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death
— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
To Ponder
Freedom of choice is a core value that our culture and society are built upon. As individuals, we treasure the right to make decisions about our own lives—our values, beliefs, and actions. But while we value our freedom to choose, we need to pause and ask: What do we do with our choices? And how do our choices affect others?
Jesus, too, faced choices. He could have used his position and status to exalt himself and serve his own self‑interest. He could have used his power to manipulate others or sought the easy path through life. Yet he chose differently. Jesus chose humility and obedience to his Heavenly Father. His decision was not self‑focused but outward‑focused: He went to the cross for our sake; he went to the cross with us in mind!
When we reflect on our own lives, it doesn’t take long to see that our choices are often shaped by self‑interest—what feels good, what seems best for us, what serves our own preservation. In the process, we can too easily forget God and overlook others.
Unlike us, Jesus did not pursue position, status, or recognition. His humility shaped his decisions, and it was the Father who exalted Him.
So, what about us? What drives the choices we make? What is the motivation behind them—self‑preservation, self‑interest, or something greater?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have blessed us with the gift of choice, yet we seek after what serves us, what feels comfortable, what preserves our own interests—forgetting that true freedom comes not in choosing for ourselves, but in choosing to follow you. Holy Spirit, transform our hearts and redirect our choices. Help us pause to ask not "What serves me?" but "What honours you and blesses others?" Shape our motivations from the inside out, that we might choose humility over pride, service over self-interest, and obedience over our own desires. In Jesus name. Amen
Today’s devotion written by Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping.
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning
To Ponder
I remember a time when I was living in Auckland, just after the Covid-19 lockdowns, when someone said to me: “The world’s gone crazy, everything's a mess.” At the time, there were protests nearly every weekend and people’s anger levels were high. The city of Auckland was different after Covid—it did not feel the same. There was a noticeable change in the political climate of the country. The world as we had known it had significantly changed, and many people did not know how to react to the chaos we were experiencing.
Daniel, in our reading today, lived in a world of change and chaos. He was living in Persia, the place where Daniel and God’s chosen people, the Israelites, had been taken into exile. The political situation he was facing was dangerous for him because he was a believer in God, in a pagan land with strict religious laws. His world, where he lived was uncertain.
Yet Daniel acknowledges in a prayer to God that God has oversight over all that happens. God "changes times and seasons," and he “removes kings and sets up kings.” This reminded him, and therefore us, that no political upheaval, social change, or personal transition catches Him off guard. God is not unaware. Nothing happens that he is not already aware of.
As people of faith living in our ever-changing and complicated world, we can find deep comfort in knowing that the same God who gave Daniel wisdom in his turbulent season of life is still the one who has oversight of the times and seasons of our lives. He is not distant from our daily struggles but is intimately involved, bringing about His purposes.
It is not just that God's oversight is comforting; it is also that He gives wisdom and understanding. In our online and social media–connected world, where we are exposed to so much information all at once, it is difficult to know fact from fiction sometimes. Knowing what is true and false is not as easy as it once was. We need God to give us discernment and wisdom all the time. Here is the good news: He does! He generously gives wisdom and discernment to those who seek Him.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, that you have all times and seasons in your hands, even when life feels uncertain. Grant me wisdom to navigate the challenges before me, trusting that you are working all things according to your purpose. In Christ Jesus name, Amen.
Today's devotion written by Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
To Ponder
Humility is one of those words that we use, thinking we know what it means. If someone is humble, it can suggest that they do not put themselves above others, or they might devalue themselves to make others feel important. Worse, they might put themselves down, so they don’t get in the way of others.
The problem is that this is not true humility. True humility is about acknowledging the truth—the good, beautiful, and wonderful things about us, as well as the weaknesses, struggles, and less admirable aspects of ourselves. In other words, it is about being able to be honest with ourselves.
In today’s reading, we are urged to be humble under God’s mighty hand—to be honest about ourselves in light of acknowledging God’s way in our lives. When we put ourselves under his mighty hand, we are simply acknowledging that God is control. Not us!. God is both capable enough to handle our concerns and loving enough to care deeply about them. We do not live life alone or entirely on our own terms; God plays an important part in our lives.
This means we we feel our life is out of our control, or not going as we would plan it to go we can cast our anxiety on Him. The word "cast" is the same one used in scripture for throwing a net out of a fishing boat to catch fish. Fishermen did not gently place their nets in the water; no, they threw the nets with force as far as they could. Likewise, we "throw" our anxieties as hard as we can toward the Lord, because he is capable of dealing with them. We do this because we know that he cares for us. Our anxieties matter to God—not because our anxiety is small to him, but because his grace is so big towards us as we are so precious to him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to humble myself under your mighty hand today. When I am feeling anxious about my life, remind me that you care deeply for me cause I am precious to you. Give me the courage to cast my worries on you, trusting in your plan for my life, knowing that you will lift me up when the time is right. In Jesus' I pray name, Amen.
Today’s devotion written by Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.
7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.
To Ponder
Recently, I was reminded that I needed to give a report on the professional development (PD) that I had done in the last 12 months. The idea of PD is to ensure that we are getting batter, improving, excelling at the things we do, which I think is a good thing. However, the reading from Psalm 75 is a reminder, that whilst these things are important, success comes ultimately from him. In our achievement-oriented culture, it's tempting to believe we can engineer our own success through networking, self-promotion, or strategic planning. Yet the psalmist reminds us that neither from the east nor west nor desert can anyone truly exalt themselves. God has a hand in it,
The picture of east -west and desert, is interesting to think about. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The desert is a place of harshness or wilderness. Think about this way, at the beginning or at the end of the day the Lord still is the one who has things in his hand. When we are in seasons of being in the wilderness, we cannot on our own get ourselves out, the Lord is the one who does this.
This way of viewing things doesn't discourage faithful work or aiming to be better or working towards being in a better position, but it challenges us to think about the things we are doing with an understanding that in the end it is the Lord who works things out in us. When we work hard, think creatively or lead others, influence our circumstances, we do so with a recognition that any fruitfulness from the things we do flows from Lord’s blessing. Not just our own efforts.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, as we go about our daily life and work, remind us that true success flows from your hand alone. Whether we find ourselves in seasons of new beginnings like the rising sun, or endings like the setting sun, or even in wilderness seasons of difficulty, your hand is over all things.
Help us to work and live faithfully and creatively, to live with integrity, and to strive for improvement—not from pride or self-reliance, but with humble recognition that any fruitfulness comes through Your blessing. Guard our hearts from the temptation to believe we can engineer our own success through our efforts alone. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Today's devotion written by Nich Kitchen, LifeWay Epping
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck..
To Ponder
Imagine what it would have been like for Joseph to have been put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Consider, for a moment, where he was before his brothers sold him into slavery. His family were looking after animals, and he came from a people who were on the land. Consider also that he had spent from the age of 17 to 30 either as a slave or in prison. Then suddenly he is given such an enormous responsibility! Pharaoh is taking a huge risk! One could even think that Pharaoh was being irresponsible.
So far, I have been thinking about this reading from my own human perspective, but I think it is important to pause and ask a different question. Who put Joseph in this position? Pharaoh, of course. Yes, but is he the only one who put him there? No. The Lord did. Right from the beginning, as the Lord gave dreams to Joseph, he has been the one bringing about his story in Joseph’s life. Joseph was put in charge of the land because the Lord wanted him in that position. Even Pharaoh himself saw that God was at work in Joseph, and this influenced his decision. But at the end of the day, Joseph is where God wanted him to be.
I think there is something in this for us as Christians to reflect on because we live in a world and a culture that does not think like this. We think we are in the positions we are in because of either our own or someone else’s choices. Most people, including many believers, would not even think for a moment that it could be possible that God had them in positions where he wanted them to be.
How would your life change if you considered God has you where he wants you to be? Seeing that God is intimately involved in your day-to-day circumstances, working in your life in ways you do not see.
Prayer
Lord, help me to see my life as always being in your hands. In my workplace, my relationships, my daily responsibilities—even in the ordinary moments—you are present and purposeful. Like Joseph, I may not understand the full picture, but I can trust that you have placed me exactly where you want me to be. Forgive me for the times I've viewed my circumstances as mere coincidence or human choice alone. Open my eyes to see your hand at work, positioning me for your glory and the good of others. In Jesus name. Amen
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
TO PONDER
Maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old man who wants to complain about how young people today don't understand what it means to 'do it tough'. The only difference being that I'd want to take aim at all of us, particularly the older people among us who perhaps experienced more of life in a culture and community that was predominantly and unapologetically Christian.
In his letter, James is addressing Christians who are experiencing intense persecution. People who followed Jesus at risk of imprisonment and not infrequently, even execution. It's under those kinds of conditions that the early Christian church spread throughout the Roman Empire. It was often as people witnessed the unwavering faith and commitment of those early Christians to the person of Jesus Christ, that they began to wonder who or what could evoke such loyalty and conviction. In fact, it is in places like China and many Islamic countries where people follow Jesus at great personal risk, where the church of God seems to be growing most rapidly still today.
We might well lament the fact that Australian society and culture is less Christian than in the past. We might well be frustrated that it is harder to gain a hearing in the public square if you want to promote a Christian perspective on a matter of social policy. We might bang our fists on our kitchen benches and worry about changes to religious freedom laws and the future of authentic Christian education in Australia, but the reality is, we are, for the most part, a bunch of soft and squishy Christians who have over the years become used to getting our own way. We have grown used to being comfortable in an environment where most people, even if they did not share our religious views, at least understood them and didn't challenge them too directly.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wish religious persecution on anyone. However, as we begin to experience it more frequently here in Australia and around the world in places that have previously openly embraced the teachings of Jesus and the Word of God, maybe we don't have to get too uptight about it. Maybe it is the very tool God is using to grow a church that will actually stand up under pressure and bear witness to Jesus in a more convincing way that we have been able to in our years of comfort and majority on our communities.
PRAYER: Jesus, you know what it is like to be persecuted and hated by others. You also know the ways in which the world today makes it challenging for me to follow you completely in every moment. I'm sorry for the times when my fear of persecution and ridicule get the better of me. Please help me to persevere under trial so that my perseverance might also be a witness to who you are and what you mean to me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
TO PONDER
In this reading, the apostle Paul frames life itself as a kind of "delayed gratification." Our present troubles — painful, real, often crushing — are called “light and momentary” not because they feel that way, but because they are set beside the weight of eternal glory. The Christian life asks us to endure loss, resist temptation, carry crosses — trusting in God’s promise that there’s something greater to come.
You might be familiar with the 'marshmallow test' in which children are given a marshmallow and told they are free to eat it but will receive a second marshmallow if they wait. Just as a child must trust the adult who promises “two marshmallows later,” we must trust our Father who promises resurrection, restoration, and eternal joy. Without trust, waiting feels impossible. With trust, patience becomes possible.
Our ability to delay gratification in life points to a deeper spiritual reality: God invites us to lift our eyes beyond the immediate — to fix them not on what is seen and fleeting, but on what is unseen and eternal.
"We live in a culture of the instant — instant food, instant streaming, instant results. But deep down, we know the best things take time. Children who can wait for a greater reward show us a glimpse of this truth. Paul puts it even more powerfully: our present troubles are not the end. They are shaping us, preparing us for something far greater — an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. The question is: will we trust the promise enough to wait? Today, let’s ask God to help us fix our eyes not on the immediate pain or pleasure, but on the unseen hope that lasts forever."
PRAYER: Gracious Heavenly Father, please help me to grow in both knowing and trusting your promises. The pressures and challenges of daily life so often distract me from remembering that this life is just a fleeting moment in relations to the promise of eternal life with you. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you and to live in a way that enables others to see you at work in me. Amen
Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle