Shalom,


Proverbs 21:1 says this:


1 THE KING'S heart is in the hand of the LORD, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills. 


It is very important for us, as believers who pray, to know this verse, especially if we are dealing with ungodly leaders! Romans 13:1-2 tells us that earthly authority comes from God! When we pray, God can get involved and change their hearts and minds to agree with HIS will in the situation! Now, more than ever before, we NEED to count on this Truth! 


I also really like this from verse 5:


5 The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.


This reinforces the Truth that God desires for us to take one step at a time, trusting Him to lead, guide and direct our every move. Remember, HE wants you to prosper, succeed, and do well, even more than you want those things for yourself (3 John 2)! HE gets glory from our success!        


In Galatians 5 Paul continues speaking about the True Gospel and exposing the false doctrine of works for salvation. Galatians 5:1 says this:


1 IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].


Jesus paid the ultimate price for our freedom! Don't treat it lightly and take it for granted by  thinking that ANY thing we could ever do in the natural is even close to HIS sacrifice! Jesus does NOT want our "works". He wants to see and hear our faith talking! He can work with faith-filled words! Amen! Here is the song "In Your Freedom" by Hillsong:

Just by His very presence the Holy Spirit makes a real change in the lives of the people. Look at verses 22-23:


22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring  charge]. 


ALL of these "fruit of the spirit" are already IN you! Don't "try" so hard to get them! We simply must cultivate them so that they are operating in our lives. THAT will really get people to think about their own lives and whether or not they are actually saved!  Be on top of your game at all times now! Let's have NO wasted time - buy up every opportunity to spread the Good news!                  


Esther 7-8 is all about the vengeance of the LORD on the evil Haman! I like this from the Bible Exposition Commentary:


God's long-suffering led Haman into thinking he was safe. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" (Eccl 8:11, NKJV). God's long-suffering today is an opportunity for people to repent (2 Peter 3:9), but our sinful world thinks it means God won't judge sinners at all. "For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape" (1 Thess 5:3, NKJV). 


Remember Romans 12:19:


19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.


Allow God the time to take care of your enemies while you continue to pray for their salvation! That takes any judgment out of your hands and leaves you clean before God! It also give the enemies more time to repent and get right with God! If they don't, eternity is plenty long enough for the suffering that comes from rejecting HIM! 


Shalom in Him!