Epistle for January 17, 2009
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Happy New Year From
The Staff of
freeway foundation
E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation January 17, 2009
God's Timing Is NO Coincidence!
(Esther 6:1-14)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the events of this chapter
1. Unable to sleep, King Ahasuerus called a servant to read some historical records
to him; the servant read the account of Mordecai's saving the king's life from
two assassins, vv. 1-2; 2:19-23.
2. The king inquired whether Mordecai has been honored for this deed; when he
discovered that he had not been rewarded, the king called for one of his ministers
to handle this matter, vv. 3-5.
3. Since Haman was in the palace, he responded and the king asked him: "What
should be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?" Haman,
thinking that the king wanted to honor him, suggested a parade, and the king
instructed Haman personally to do for Mordecai what he had suggested, vv. 6-10.
4. Haman paraded Mordecai through the streets, and returning home, his wife and
friends predicted his fall from royal favor; at that moment the kings' servants arrived
to escort him to the palace, vv. 11-14.
II. Meditation: on God's perfect timing
1. It was God's timing (and no coincidence) that King Ahasuerus was unable to sleep on
this particular night, v. 1.
2. It was God's timing (and no coincidence) that the place in the court chronicles which
was read to the king contained the account of Mordecai's saving him from assassins,
v. 2.
3. It was God's timing (and no coincidence) that Haman just "happened" to be entering
the outer court of the palace to arrange for Mordecai's hanging when the king asked if
one of his ministers was available to make arrangements to honor Mordecai, vv. 4-5.
4. It was God's timing (and no coincidence) that just as Haman's wife and friends
prophesied his doom, the king's messengers arrived to escort him to the queen's
feast, vv. 13-14.
III. Revelation: on the spiritual principles here
1. God keeps a detailed record of man's deeds (including his thoughts and words),
and someday the Lord will give rewards and punishments to each individual,
Romans 14:12.
2. God is in complete control of the events of history, and He will bring to pass His
will at His pre-determined time, Psalm 31:15.
3. Pride goes before a fall, Proverbs 16:18.
4. What goes around, comes around, Hosea 8:7.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Realize that someday I shall give account of myself to God, Matthew 12:36.
2. Live each day in the light of God's eternity, Ecclesiastes 3:11; II Peter 3:8-9.
3. Walk humbly before God and in harmony with my fellow man, Micah 6:8.
4. Be careful what I sow, because that is what I shall reap, Galatians 6:7.
Burden Bearing
(Galatians 6:1-18)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught Christians to bear and share one another's burdens, vv. 1-5.
2. Paul emphasized the spiritual principle of sowing and reaping: he urged
believers to not "grow weary in doing good," vv. 6-10.
3. Paul expressed his desire to glory only in the cross of Christ, vv. 11-15.
4. Paul blessed the Galatians with a closing word of benediction, vv. 16-18.
II. Observations: on the main spiritual themes in this chapter
1. Bear one another's burdens, v. 1.
2. Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap, v. 7.
3. In due season we shall reap, if we do not quit, v. 9.
4. God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of Christ, v. 14.
III. Meditation: on the word "burden" . . . meaning problems
1. Sins – Psalm 38:4.
2. Cares, worries – Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7.
3. Evil attack, oppression – Isaiah 10:27; 58:6.
4. Divine message of the prophets – Ezekiel 12:10.
IV. Revelation: on the word "burdens" . . . meaning works
1. Tasks, jobs – Matthew 20:12; Nehemiah 4:17.
2. Responsibility of leadership – Ezekiel 18:22; Numbers 11:11; Deuteronomy 1:12.
3. Personal responsibilities, duties – Galatians 6:5 (Greek = PHORTION).
4. Overload – Galatians 6:2 (Greek = BAROS).
NOTE: PHORTION is a Greek word meaning something to be borne,
without regard to weight.
BAROS is a Greek word meaning something too heavy or
burdensome "OVERLOAD."
V. Application: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Avoid thinking that there is noble quality in engaging in single-handed
spiritual combat . . . in always going it alone, refusing any help.
2. Realize that attempting for too long to be strong without partnering with
a fellow believer not only violates Scripture, but it also produces dryness
of soul and "battle-fatigue" or spiritual burnout.
3. Understand Paul's clear teaching that believers should shoulder their own
personal responsibilities, v. 5, but that they also should partner with a brother
or sister.
4. Recognize that such load-sharing fulfills the law of Christ (Galatians 5:14;
John 13:34; James 2:8), and through the cross produces a bountiful crop of
righteousness, vv. 7, 9, 14.
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life,
that no man can sincerely try to help another
without helping himself."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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