Tags: Heaven
One of the first things mentioned in any discussion of Esther is the lack of any mention of God. But after walking through it this summer, I think we would all agree that God is the primary mover of this whole elaborate drama, not Esther, Mordecai, Haman, or the King. So it is appropriate that as we conclude this series,…
As you peruse the bulletin before the service this morning, some of you must be thinking, “Two Advent hymns? On September 1?” Hear me out. We’ve nearly reached the end of our study of the Book of Esther, one long narrative of God working behind the scenes to rescue His people from their enemies. But Queen Esther’s brave deeds could…
Though years and years roll on His covenant shall endure, Though clouds and darkness hide His path, the promised grace is sure. This morning’s Gospel Invitation from Psalm 111 sets forth God’s promise to bring redemption to His covenant people. The whole rest of the service really flows from this one point. We declare that His love is steadfast, both…
Dr. Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or…
Today’s service begins with a declaration from Psalm 33 that “the Lord loves righteousness and justice,” and that we trust Him to be our “help and our shield.” Though God may work silently and mysteriously, He is ever working to bring about justice for those He loves—a truth we will see vividly expressed in the sermon text from Esther. To…
Have you noticed that in each of the psalms that we’ve been studying the last few weeks, the psalmist speaks to his own soul? In Psalm 42 he asks the question “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:5), while in Psalm 62 he instructs his soul to “wait in silence, for my hope is from Him” (Psalm…