Remember & Celebrate God's Faithfulness - Esther 9-10
Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv
Introduction
God calls on us as His people to look back in our lives, indeed in history. To look back and remember God’s faithfulness to us as His children. To look back and not just remember but to celebrate the faithfulness of God.
One of the most powerful ways that we remember and celebrate God’s faithfulness is through baptism. Water baptism is commanded by Jesus for every believer who has committed their lives to Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Every time that someone is baptized, it’s not just a personal moment. It is a church family moment, it is a kingdom moment. When someone goes under the water, we remember that we too were once lost in sin, but Jesus found us and made us new creations.
Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Baptism is a reminder of God’s transforming work in our lives, in our families, and in our church family. Many of us can look back and remember the moment when we or our loved ones took that step of faith. Whether it was in a swimming pool outside or indoors in a church baptistry.
The Jews in Esther’s day established the holiday of Purim to ensure that future generations would not forget God’s deliverance. In the same way, baptism is a lasting testimony that we have been rescued by Jesus Christ.
Psalm 105:5 (ESV): "Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered."
As a church family, we have the opportunity to witness and celebrate baptisms together, and we should all participate in the celebration. Baptism is a declaration that we have been made new.
It is an act of obedience in response to the faithfulness of God. It is an outward sign of an inward reality. It is a moment we can cherish and a story to pass on.
Acts 2:41 (ESV): "So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls."
On March 30, we have the opportunity to hold a baptism service. This is the perfect time to take that step if you have not yet been baptized since becoming a believer. Simply text the word “baptism” to our new texting number 833-273-7924 (listed in our bulletin) to get signed up.
Or you can check the box on your Connect Card and place it in the basket by the door. If God has been stirring your heart, this is a moment to publicly declare what He has done in your life.
Let’s come together to remember, rejoice, and celebrate His faithfulness.
Trust God’s Justice Prevails Over Evil
Esther 9:1 (ESV): "Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them."
An evil decree had given the enemies of the Jews permission to kill them all. The Jews had been on the verge of complete destruction. But God had sovereignly turned the situation around.
The very day intended for their downfall became the day of their deliverance. God’s justice is often seen in His ability to reverse the plans of the wicked and to establish His purposes in His perfect timing.
Esther 9:2–3 (ESV): "The Jews gathered in their cities … to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could stand against them, for the fear of them had fallen on all peoples. All the officials … also helped the Jews, for the fear of Mordecai had fallen on them."
God not only granted the victory but also caused fear to fall upon their enemies. The Jews acted in self-defense, not revenge. Their victory was aided by God’s providence in the hearts of the people around them.
Notice that God had elevated Mordecai so highly that the fear of Mordecai had fallen on all the enemies of the Jews. When God brings justice, He aligns both circumstances and people to accomplish His will.
Esther 9:6–10 (ESV): "In Susa the citadel itself the Jews killed and destroyed 500 men, and also killed … the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder."
The Jews had the right to take plunder according to the second decree. But they chose not to, showing that their victory was about survival, not greed. Their enemies, led by Haman’s sons, faced complete defeat because God does not allow evil to go unpunished.
Application
There are moments in our lives when it seems that evil is winning. It feels like the enemy has the upper hand. But Esther 9 reminds us that God’s justice is never in question. He sees everything, He knows, and He acts in His perfect timing.
Trusting in God’s justice means surrendering our battles to Him. It’s easy to try to take matters into our own hands, but that never works out. When we do, we risk missing out on the power of God’s intervention.
Instead, we are called to pray, to seek God’s wisdom, and to walk in obedience. Standing firm in faith means recognizing that God is fighting for us. Just as the Jews defended themselves in the strength God provided, we too are called to stand in faith.
Whether at work, in relationships, or in the moments of trial, God goes before us. Encouraging one another in faith strengthens the body of Christ. When we remind each other of God’s faithfulness, we help each other to stand firm, believe in His justice, and walk in peace rather than fear.
That is why it’s so important to be regular in our participation in Sunday services. And to be part of a weekly small group, so we can encourage others and be encouraged ourselves.
As we do that, we can … Trust that God’s justice prevails over evil.
Great! Here is the second half of the sermon, including the remaining main points, conclusion, and SEO section.
Respond in Celebration to God’s Victory
Esther 9:16 (ESV): "Now the rest of the Jews who were in the king’s provinces also gathered to defend their lives, and got relief from their enemies and killed 75,000 of those who hated them, but they laid no hands on the plunder."
Not only did the Jews have victory over their enemies in the capital city of Susa, but their victory was also throughout the entire Persian empire. Many who hated the Jews attacked them on the date of the first decree.
Yet, God empowered the Jews to defend themselves and defeat their attackers. Again, they took none of the plunder, leaving it for those in need. After the battle, the Jews experienced relief and rest.
God’s faithfulness was evident not just in the victory, but in the peace that followed. The greatest celebrations come when we recognize that God has brought us through the battle into a place of rest.
Esther 9:20–21 (ESV): "And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year."
Mordecai called the people to remember and celebrate what God had done on a yearly basis. It was a way to give thanks to God, not forgetting His victory in the past. It was also a way to give thanks for the victories He would bring in the future.
Forgetting God’s past faithfulness leads to fear and doubt about the future. By establishing the holiday of Purim, the Jews ensured that future generations would celebrate God’s deliverance.
Esther 9:22 (ESV): "as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor."
God had turned the sorrow and anguish of the Jews into gladness. This transformation was to be remembered yearly with feasting, generosity, and joy. Celebrations in Scripture are not just about happiness, but about remembering God’s work and sharing His blessings with others.
Application
When God brings us through trials, our response must be one of intentional remembrance and celebration. In our prayer times, we should not only ask God for things in the future, but also remember and give thanks for the victories of the past.
Establishing personal reminders of God’s faithfulness strengthens our faith. Keeping a journal of answered prayers or marking down spiritual milestones helps us look back and see His hand at work.
Celebrating together strengthens our relationships and our faith. Just as the Jews rejoiced together, we are called to celebrate God’s goodness with others. God calls us to testify to others of His power and faithfulness.
One way we do that here is through God stories—simple, short testimonies of a victory in our lives. When we share these stories, our church family is encouraged, and our collective faith grows.
Finally, we see that the victorious Jews showed great generosity in their celebration. When we recognize and give thanks for what God has done for us, we become people who bless others.
God calls us to respond in celebration to His victory.
God’s Blessing Extends Beyond the Moment
Esther 10:1 (ESV): "King Ahasuerus imposed tax on the land and on the coastlands of the sea."
At first glance, this verse may seem out of place, but nothing in God’s Word is random. This verse shows us that the Persian empire continued in stability and prosperity after the battle.
When evil is defeated and the righteous have victory, the entire nation is blessed. The faithfulness of God in delivering His people had political and economic ramifications, affecting an entire empire.
Esther 10:2 (ESV): "And all the acts of his power and might, and the full account of the high honor of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?"
Mordecai went from sackcloth and ashes, targeted for execution, to high honor over the entire Persian empire. His legacy was recorded not just in the Bible, but in the royal records of Media and Persia.
God raised him up not only for that moment but as a lasting example of a faithful leader. This is an incredible picture of how a godly believer can serve in a secular government and bring blessings both to God’s people and to an entire nation.
Esther 10:3 (ESV): "For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people."
Mordecai’s rise to power was not for personal gain, but for the good of his people. He used his position to bring peace and prosperity both to the Jews and the entire empire. This reminds us that God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others.
Application
God’s faithfulness extends beyond today into the future. What He does in our lives is not just for us, but for generations to come. A life of faithfulness leaves a legacy.
As Mordecai sought the welfare of his people and nation, we must seek the good of others. God calls us to mentor, disciple, and serve in ways that will outlive us. Our first priority is our families—our parents, children, grandchildren, and relatives.
But God also calls us to reach beyond our families. We are to be spiritual parents, brothers, and sisters, serving and blessing others. Every position, resource, and opportunity we have is meant to bring God’s love and peace to those around us.
God calls us to live in such a way that His blessing extends beyond the moment.
Conclusion
Throughout the book of Esther, we have seen the hand of God moving behind the scenes. He turned what was meant for destruction into victory. Though the name of God is never mentioned, His faithfulness is unmistakable.
He calls us to remember and celebrate what He has done. In the same way, God is at work in our lives today. He is moving even when we cannot see Him.
Just as Purim became a lasting reminder for the Jewish people, baptism is a reminder and celebration of what God has done for us. It is a declaration that we have been buried with Christ and raised to a new life.
If we have experienced His salvation, we have a reason to celebrate. If He has brought us through trials, we have a story to share. If we have seen His hand at work, we have a calling to proclaim His goodness.
For those who have yet to take the step of baptism, March 30 is an opportunity to publicly declare what God has done. Let’s be a people who remember, rejoice, and proclaim—not just today, but for generations to come.
