“The command of Esther confirmed these practices of Purim, and it was recorded in writing.” – Esther 9:32

Scripture reading: Esther 9:16-32

Mordecai, as we saw yesterday, is a proclaimer of peace to both far and near (9;30; 10:3), reminding us of Isaiah 57:19 and the far-and-near peace that the LORD proclaims, and reminding us of Christ in Ephesians 2:17, who proclaims peace to those who are far away and near. Such peace won by the Lord is always worth celebrating.

In these days, the ascended Lord is the great gift-giver to God’s people: “When [Christ] ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8). As the Bread of Life, who provides eternal satisfaction and peace, He calls us to a better celebratory feast of rest today.

Every Lord’s Day we celebrate Christ’s rest to us as we worship God. Every Lord’s Day, we give of our gifts out of gratitude for Christ’s grace to us. Whenever we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, we anticipate the fuller rest that awaits God’s people – the wedding feast of the Lamb and the communion with the Lord that we will one day celebrate eternally.

If the people in Esther’s time had reason for joy as they celebrated annually the rest that the Lord provided, how much more are we not privileged to celebrate weekly the rest that the Lord has given to us. Every time the covenant God in Jesus Christ calls us to His worship and to His communion feast, we remember the rest that is ours and the rest that is to come.

Suggestions for prayer

Pray with thanks for the privilege of worship. Pray that the Lord will help you and others to take joy in the call to worship every Lord’s Day.

Rev. John Vermeer is Pastor Emeritus of Doon United Reformed Church in Doon, Iowa and is currently living in Cedar Lake, Indiana. He has served churches in Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois over the course of 34 years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.