172- Formed for His praise

“The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.

Isaiah 43:21 NASB

Long ago, according to the Esther 1, there was a King called Ahasuerus. This king was one the greatest in His time, having several people and nations under him. After his conquest that gave him the Kingdom he now reigned over, he decided to throw a feast for all people to display his generosity as King. In this banquet, he decided to display all his splendour and majesty for all to see, including his most valued possession, his beautiful wife, Vashti. This story is an all too familiar one and an interesting one in that there is no mention of God throughout the entire book, but He is seen in every chapter and verse.

God is a King, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. He has also prepared a feast for all people upon His Holy hill of Zion, wherein the veil cast over all nation will be rolled away, Isaiah 25:6-9. God, as a King also has a bride, who is His priced possession on the earth with whom He desires to show off the splendour of His excellent majesty for many generations to come. In the case of Vashti, in the heat of the Kings excitement, he sent seven chamberlains to bring his bride to show case her to all people. However, his bride was not ready and refused to come.

Vashti had her own feast that she regarded more important than that of the King. This feast was thrown for all the women and was using the Kings authority and the estate of influence and power he had given her as his bride. This showed three things about Vashti: She wanted her independence and a realm of influence of her own. She was a rebellious bride. She made a statement by refusing to come to her king that rebellion was okay, even against the most powerful man at that time. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, 1 Samuel 15:23. Thirdly, she had no fear of the King or regard for His estate as King. As a result, the King stripped her of this estate.

There are truths and warnings we can glean from this chapter that must take note of when dealing with our God. Every estate we have has been given to us by the King. We are and will always be the possession of God. God has sent us His Chamberlains, the seven Spirits of God in Wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord, Isaiah 11:1-4. These are meant to prepare us for when the King will show us as His Jewels. This can be at any time and any situation. He reserves the right to request that we be showed forth anytime, however, whenever He makes this request, He has already made provisions for our preparation, because the glory, name and praise at stake is His. Everything that is rebellious in God’s Kingdom will not be tolerated. However, as we yield to His command, we can be sure that we are also exalted for all to see, displaying the splendour and majesty of our great Lord and God.

Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank you for making me the object of Your love and affection. You have invested so much in me, giving me a new estate, a crown of glory and a robe of beauty. You have set me above all principalities in Christ Jesus and given me the throne of Glory to seat at your right hand. May I never turn you on the day you choose to show forth your Jewels. Father, I have decided that I will do Your will always. Help me to do Your will. I ask in Jesus name. Amen.