When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther 4:1-3
Points to Ponder
- I supposed it’s not hard to sympathize with the Jews. Genocide is about to happen to them! Who has time to eat or play? These poor Jews in exile reached another low point in history. BUT, what they could not see was that it was all in God’s plan. Behind the scenes, God is orchestrating a deliverance of the Jews and the defeat of the enemies.
- It’s ok to mourn. It’s good to morn. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matt 5:4 God treasures our tears and keeps them in a bottle (Ps 56:8). Cry out and cry out to God. He will listen. He will sympathize, for He has experienced the greatest pain. He cried out to God in the garden of Gethsemane. He cried out to God on the cross!
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 