Have you ever noticed that some friends forgive you quickly? Then there are others who get mad and hold a grudge for days or weeks. Their pride is hurt, and they’re not about to forgive you. The pagan official Haman was like that. He thought the Jew Mordecai had insulted him, and he held such a grudge that he plotted to wipe out the whole Jewish race. He didn’t succeed, but holding that grudge was the sign of a hateful and wicked man. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t hold grudges when you do something wrong? God is eager to forgive. And God is eager for his people to follow his example of forgiveness and to not hold grudges.
Three girls you know are kicking a younger girl. You feel like you ought to step in. But it’s scary. So you . . . Queen Esther was frightened when her cousin Mordecai asked her to see the king about Haman’s plot. King Xerxes was unpredictable. If Esther went to see him uninvited, she might be killed! Mordecai had an answer for her: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Did God make Esther queen so she could step in and help? Ask yourself the same thing the next time you feel you should speak up but are afraid. Maybe God put you in that situation just so you could help.
My family is moving at the end of the school year. I have to leave all my friends, and who knows what I’ll find at my new school. I get lonely thinking about it. How will I ever make new friends?
Emma
Dear Emma,
Moving is a very stressful experience, and your feelings are certainly valid. When you get to your new neighborhood, try taking some walks or bike rides. Keep your eyes open for someone your age. Put on your confidence. A big smile will help you look like a good prospect as a friend.
When school starts, look into joining a club or team. Finding some others with similar interests is a good place to start. Also, when your family finds a church, get involved with a Sunday school class or youth group.
There’s always the chance that you’re at this new school because God wants you there for a special purpose. Esther found that God had prepared her for a very special job (Esther 4:14). It wasn’t easy, and she wasn’t sure that she wanted it. But she followed God and served him, and she saved a whole nation of people.
Perhaps you won’t be used to save a whole nation, but you could be in your new school to impact someone’s life for God. That’s a wonderful thing. Keep your heart open and your eyes on him. I’m excited for all you will do for him!
Jordan
A voice swears in the back of the bus and someone says, “Tyler did it!” Everybody snickers. Tyler didn’t do it, but the bus driver still writes him up. Someone may even try to get you in trouble because they don’t like you. They don’t want a laugh. They want to hurt you. And sometimes they succeed. If you’ve ever been the victim of a prank or a plot, you know how unfair it is. But take comfort in this Bible story. The more someone tries to harm you, the more likely it is the plot will backfire. Like Haman, hanged on the same gallows he built for Mordecai, your tormentor is more likely to hurt him or herself!
Esther
Making Plans.
We aren’t able to look ahead and know what God is preparing us for. But God definitely has something special in mind. God put Esther’s life together according to a plan. She was an orphan, raised by her cousin. Yet she became the Queen of Persia and saved an entire nation.