Devotion: Use Me in Such a Time as This

Read 1 John 2, Esther 4 and Psalm 16: 7-8

Key Passages: And the world with its desires are fading away, but whoever does God’s will lives forever. -1 John 2:17
…And who knows if in fact you might have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? -Esther 4:14
I will praise the Lord who counsels me. The controls He puts on me guide me through the night. I have put the Lord first always. Because He is at my right hand, I won’t be shaken. -Psalm 16:7-8

Some people we encounter think it is difficult to seek God’s will. Sometimes it is even hard for us at times to KNOW God’s will. Some people fear God so that they fail to ask for His leading. Sometimes we get so involved in our ministries and daily routines that we fail to take the time to ask for this leadership or maybe we do not take the time to listen.

In Psalm 16: 7-8, the Bible says to give God all the glory and honor because He teaches and guides you even while you rest. God is with us always. He is as close as our right hand. Let us keep our desires on Him. Why then do we need to fear? How can we lose our way?

When we desire to do the will of God, He will direct us and answer our prayers according to His will. Sometimes we are stubborn and want to do things our way; but if we listen, we will hear His leading. When Paul and his companions were on their journeys, the Holy Spirit directed them every step. At times the Holy Spirit did not allow them to enter a place. We do not know why He chooses to block our way at times. It is not for us to question the Spirit. He keeps us from great danger that we are unable to see or maybe a task that we are unable to handle.

God works through you to accomplish His will at “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). God took a young Jewish woman and placed her in a position as queen of Persia. She was an instrument that God used to save His people. You are also very important to God, and He will allow you to be an instrument also for His work. You are special to Him. He chose you. Desire to be close to God and sense His leadership. God will accomplish His will through you at “such a time as this”.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I pray that I will listen and that I will hear what You desire. Please use me at such a time as this.
-A Winter's Path, 38, L. Burch

Their Perspective: I Like Being a Missionary in Russia by Luke Burch

Luke comments: “I like being a missionary in Russia. It is fun to tell people about Jesus, especially Anna and Igor. I brought Anna to church with me. I pray for them. I want them to go to heaven. Will you pray with me for Anna and Igor?”

Luke's little prayer: “Dear Lord, please help Anna and Igor come to know You so that they can go to heaven and enjoy being with You. And, thank you for everything you have done for the whole world. Jesus name, Amen.”

Their Perspective: Russia as I See It by Amielle Burch

Russia is an interesting place with tasty food. One type of food that I like is sashlik (B-B-Que pork on a stick). There are some things in the USA that you cannot get here. I miss Cheez-its, Goldfish crackers and A&W root beer. It has been fun living in different houses and different cities in Russia. We have lived in St. Pete, Bryansk and Moscow. There are so many interesting things to see in Saint Petersburg like Saint Isaac’s Cathedral and Peter and Paul’s Fortress. I am glad that God sent my parents to Russia. It is fun having Russian friends in Sunday school. I am thankful that I have been able to be here.
-Amielle Burch

Their Perspective: Seeing Russia through My Eyes by Ashlyn Burch

My life, since I was three, is Russia. I see Russia as my home. When we came to Russia, my mom and dad were learning the Russian language every day with a teacher. They would have to go to a class while a babysitter came and took care of me. Not long and I was speaking Russian fluently. I soon had many Russian friends. I even would be watching television in Russian. I have grown up as an ordinary Russian kid even though I did not go to public school. I would go to buy something and people still thought I was Russian.

I would enjoy the stay with my family and going out to different restaurants in America; but when it was time to come back home, I would feel joy in my heart. Yes, I cried before we left the USA, but I was also happy knowing that we were coming back. If there was one thing I would change, that would be for my family to come over here to Russia and live. I would be very happy and content in knowing that I was fully home.
- Ashlyn Burch, 2008

A lesson to learn— Reading and Meditating on the Word of God

We should read and memorize God’s Word (Psalms 119:11). The word for meditate in Hebrew, the original language of the Old Testament, is hagah and may have several meanings. Let’s focus on meditate, speak and moan. In Psalm 1:2 and Joshua 1:8 the word is used in this context. This word is interesting because in our relationship to God and His Word, we want to be able to meditate on Him and His Word day and night. If we concentrate on Him and read His Word constantly, we are placing His Word in our hearts.

Another word for meditate may be think, plan, brood, etc. What does brood mean? When a mother bird sits (broods) on her young in the nest, she stays for a period of time, cares and nourishes them. We must cherish God’s Word as a mother bird does her young. Spend time in His Word. Meditating and understanding God’s Word begin during times when we sit (brood) and read His Book. We will have moments when we will need to be prepared to speak His word from memory. We may not have the Bible in our hands. How can we speak in public about God’s truths if we have not meditated on these truths in private?

I can also identify with the word moan. There have been times in my prayer life when no words or thoughts would come to mind to speak. These thoughts may have come in the form of cries to Him or verbal moaning. Sometimes in our Christian lives, we experience times of utter despair and confusion. Maybe at these times we were trying to survive on our own. Maybe we were just at a point in our spiritual walk with the Lord, and He wanted us to rely on Him for strength. Moments like this I literally cried out Psalm 22 like David cried while in despair. Whether His Words are meditated, spoken or moaned, let them be hidden in our hearts, so our relationship with the Father can be intertwined as if we were one in spirit.

Let’s make a goal in our lives to dwell on God’s positive thoughts. We can learn of His thought by making a commitment to daily read His Scripture. Our thoughts and ways are not His thoughts and ways. His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). The only way that we are going to understand the Father is spend time with Him. Spend time reading His Message to you. All answers for life can be solved through prayer and reading of Scripture.
-A Women's Path to God, 2003, L. Burch