Hi First Presbyterian,

It’s time for our Mid-Week Meet-Up! The Wednesday Night Bible Study is beginning a series looking at women in the Bible, and tonight we start with the Book of Esther. This part of scripture has been on my mind recently, and I’d like to share some of my thoughts with you now.

Using the NRSV version, there are over 5,000 English words in the Book of Esther, and not one of those words is a word for “God.” God isn’t named once in the book. God isn’t even alluded to in the book. If the book wasn’t in our Bible, there is no reason why anyone would assume that it is even religious literature. Yet it is in our Bible, and we must keep in mind the words of the apostle Paul that “all scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16). God is still somehow revealed to us through the Book of Esther. God still somehow comes to us through the Book of Esther. Despite the fact that God appears to be conspicuously absent in the book, God is indeed there and can be encountered. Perhaps it’s good to add on to that last sentence a phrase that Jesus often said: “Let anyone with ears listen!”

This interesting feature about the Book of Esther reminds me of life, especially the way life has been for many of us recently. In the last 6 months, so much about life has been chaotic and troublesome. You would not be alone if, during this time, you’ve asked yourself: Where is God in all of this? Yet, just like the Book of Esther, we know that God is present and active, even when it feels like God is absent. As Christians, we are asked to view life through the lens of faith. When there is reason to despair, faith compels us to have hope that a different reality is possible. When there is reason to worry, faith compels us to find peace in the midst of our circumstances. When God feels absent, faith compels us to believe that God is indeed with us.

Be encouraged today, my friends! God is with you. If you would like to journey with some of the women of the Bible, let me know, and I’ll make sure you get the Zoom link.

Peace to you,

Pastor Aaron