Christian Daily Devotional for the Jewish Calendar - The Month of Adar II | March 8th – April 5th, 2019

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Adar II is the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. It is the month of Purim.

Friday, March 8, 2019 | Adar II 1, 5779

“This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty.” – Esther 1:1, 4

My King and my God, don’t let me boast in what I have as King Xerxes did, but in Your glory.

Saturday, March 9, 2019 | Adar II 2, 5779

“Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.” – Esther 1:9-12

Lord, when You summon me, I will come. When You call, I will answer. Interrupt my plans, my day, my activities, for You are my Great King.

~Week 27~

Sunday, March 10, 2019 | Adar II 3, 5779

“Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” – Esther 1:19-20

Lord, I thank You that You never cast me out of Your Presence, no matter how I disrespect You. You are always gracious to welcome me back.

Monday, March 11, 2019 | Adar II 4, 5779

“Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.” – Esther 2:5-7

Father, just as Mordecai cared for Esther, give me a passion to care for others. Open my heart to their needs, my eyes to opportunities to help, and my resources to Your use.

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 | Adar II 5, 5779

“When the king’s order and edict had been proclaimed, many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. She pleased him and won his favor.” – Esther 2:8-9

Holy Spirit, help me to win the favor of those around me so that I can reach out to them with Your love.

Wednesday, March 13, 2019 | Adar II 6, 5779

“Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so.” – Esther 2:10

Jesus, give me wisdom to speak when I should and to be silent when I shouldn’t. Give me both courage and self-control as I seek to honor You.

Thursday, March 14, 2019 | Adar II 7, 5779

“Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.” – Esther 2:11

Lord, help me to be as diligent in my concern for others as Mordecai was for Esther. Give me words of encouragement to speak and opportunities for actions to take. Let me be Your hands lifting them up.

Friday, March 15, 2019 | Adar II 8, 5779

“Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.” – Esther 2:12

Father, You don’t care what I look like, but You are preparing me to come into Your Presence. Teach me and shape me by Your Holy Spirit.

Saturday, March 16, 2019 | Adar II 9, 5779

“Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” – Esther 2:17

Lord, it humbles me to think that just as King Xerxes elevated Esther, so You will one day glorify me in Your Presence. I praise You for all You do for me.

~Week 28~

Sunday, March 17, 2019 | Adar II 10, 5779

“After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.” – Esther 3:1-2

Jesus, teach me whom I should respect and whom I should follow. Give me courage to stand up to those who don’t deserve their authority.

Monday, March 18, 2019 | Adar II 11, 5779

“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.” – Esther 3:5-6

Father, there are many people who hate Your people. I pray for all those who are in danger from their enemies just because they follow You.

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 | Adar II 12, 5779

“In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the pur (that is, the lot) was cast in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Then Haman said to King Xerxes, ‘There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them.’ So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews.” – Esther 3:7-8, 10

Holy Spirit, I want to honor You, even if the differences You make in me cause others to hate me.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019 | Adar II 13, 5779

The Fast of Esther

“Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods.” – Esther 3:13

Lord, I pray that You would be with Your people who are in danger. I pray also that You would be with their enemies, working on their hearts to turn them to You.

Thursday, March 21, 2019 | Adar II 14, 5779

Purim

“When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.” – Esther 4:1

Jesus, give me a broken heart for Your persecuted people, my brothers and sisters in You. Show me what I can do to help them.

Friday, March 22, 2019 | Adar II 15, 5779

“When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.” – Esther 4:4-5

Jesus, give me compassion for my family and friends who are in pain. Help me not to ignore their troubles and their grief but to reach out to them with Your love.

Saturday, March 23, 2019 | Adar II 16, 5779

“Mordecai also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.” – Esther 4:8

Lord, give me a heart that pleads to You on behalf of others. Make me diligent in my communication with You and my care for others.

~Week 29~

Sunday, March 24, 2019 | Adar II 17, 5779

“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives.” – Esther 4:11

Father, give me the courage to do what You ask of me. Whatever the risk to my reputation, my dignity, or my life, I trust in You.

Monday, March 25, 2019 | Adar II 18, 5779

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.” – Esther 4:13

Jesus, don’t let me be selfish in the face of others’ needs. Give me a heart that identifies with the needs of others, just as You came in the flesh to identify with our needs.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 | Adar II 19, 5779

“If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.” – Esther 4:14

Lord, You are a great God who will accomplish Your will whether I obey You or not. But I want to be Your instrument of salvation in the lives of others. Make me obedient and courageous in You.

Wednesday, March 27, 2019 | Adar II 20, 5779

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:14

Creator God, only You know why I am where I am in my life. Help me to sense Your movements in the lives of those around me, so that I can participate with You in Your work.

Thursday, March 28, 2019 | Adar II 21, 5779

“Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’” – Esther 4:15

Holy Spirit, give me a passion to lift others up in prayer. Let me be their support in difficult situations, just as Mordecai supported Esther.

Friday, March 29, 2019 | Adar II 22, 5779

“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.” – Esther 5:1-2

Father, I thank You that I never need to be timid to enter Your Presence. You always welcome me. In fact, You invite me to meet with You continually!

Saturday, March 30, 2019 | Adar II 23, 5779

“‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther, ‘let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.’” – Esther 5:4

Jesus, teach me how to speak. Give me the words to say to others that will accomplish Your will. Let me always be gracious as I speak Your truth.

~Week 30~

Sunday, March 31, 2019 | Adar II 24, 5779

“Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” – Esther 7:3-4

Holy Spirit, make me gracious to accept some insults and wrongs, but wise enough to know when I need to speak up for the good of others.

Monday, April 1, 2019 | Adar II 25, 5779

“That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman’s estate.” – Esther 8:1-2

Lord, how faithful You are to reward those who are faithful to You! Let me humbly and joyously accept Your blessings as I serve You.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 | Adar II 26, 5779

“The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies. The day appointed for the Jews to do this in all the provinces of King Xerxes was the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar.” – Esther 8:11-12

My God, I praise You for rescuing Your people, but mourn the need for violence. I await Your peace in the new world.

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 | Adar II 27, 5779

“In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.” – Esther 8:17

Lord, may the salvation You’ve given to me be an invitation to others.

Thursday, April 4, 2019 | Adar II 28, 5779

“Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” – Esther 9:20-22

Jesus, give me a spirit of joy and gratitude every day for Your salvation. May my joy spill out into a spirit of giving as I seek to bless others in celebration of the blessings You’ve given me.

Friday, April 5, 2019 | Adar II 29, 5779

“Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Xerxes, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” – Esther 10:3

Holy Spirit, give me the bravery of Mordeai and Esther so that I can speak up for those in need, so that I can defend the weak, and so that I can work for the good of the people around me.