Patience and Providence: Trusting God's Timing for Justice

The sermon begins with the speaker sharing a personal experience of injustice, where they were sued for a problem in a house they had sold, which they were unaware of. They relate this feeling of injustice to the biblical character Esther, who despite finding favor with the king, is surrounded by injustice. The sermon then delves into the story of Esther, emphasizing the importance of patience and timing in carrying out God's plan. Esther's decision to remain silent during the first banquet ultimately leads to a series of events that result in the downfall of Haman and the elevation of Mordecai. The speaker encourages the audience to trust in God's timing and to do the right thing at the right time, as patience produces favorable outcomes and allows for the power and glory of God to manifest.

The sermon continues to emphasize the significance of Esther's patience and silence, noting how it produced a series of events that led to Haman's downfall and Mordecai's elevation. They highlight how God's plan unfolds when we are patient and how it creates an environment for the power and glory of God to manifest. The speaker encourages the audience to trust in God's plan and to understand that patience produces providence.

The speaker then discusses the concept of providence and how it is demonstrated in the story of Esther. They explain that patience produces providence, which is God's power that sustains and guides human destiny. The speaker highlights how God's plan combined with patience leads to justice being served at the right time. They then focus on a specific scene in the next chapter where Queen Esther attends a banquet with the king. The king asks Esther for her petition and request for the third time, and Esther carefully chooses her words. She reveals that she and her people have been sold to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated. The speaker suggests that Esther is indirectly informing the king that he signed a decree to have his wife executed and her people exterminated. The king becomes indignant and asks who would dare to do such a thing. Esther identifies Haman as the wicked foe and enemy responsible for this plan, causing Haman to become terrified before the king and queen.

The sermon concludes with the speaker emphasizing the power and faithfulness of God to bring justice and deliverance. The sermon references the crucifixion of Jesus as the greatest injustice of all time, but highlights how Jesus triumphed over death and walked out of the tomb to bring good news, liberty, and sight to those in need. The speaker encourages the audience to trust in God's providence and to have patience, assuring them that justice is coming because that is who God is and what He does.

Key Takeaways

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Observation Questions

1. What was Esther's initial request to the king when she approached him in Esther 5:1-8?
2. How did Esther reveal Haman's plot to the king during the second banquet in Esther 7:1-10?
3. According to the sermon, what was the significance of Esther's patience and timing in her approach to the king? [57:09]
4. What does Habakkuk 2:3 suggest about the nature of God's timing and plans?

Interpretation Questions

1. How does Esther's patience and strategic timing reflect her trust in God's providence? [57:09]
2. In what ways does the story of Esther demonstrate that God's plan combined with patience leads to justice being served at the right time? [59:28]
3. How does the concept of providence, as described in the sermon, help us understand God's role in guiding human destiny? [59:28]
4. What does the sermon suggest about God's idea of justice, and how does it differ from human notions of retribution and revenge? [45:19]

Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you faced an injustice. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now, knowing the importance of patience and trusting in God's timing? [37:20]
2. Esther chose to remain silent during the first banquet. Are there situations in your life where you need to exercise patience and wait for the right moment to act or speak? How can you discern God's timing in these situations? [57:09]
3. The sermon emphasizes that God's justice is about making things right and restoring what is broken. How can you apply this understanding of justice in your interactions with others, especially those who have wronged you? [45:19]
4. The speaker mentioned that patience produces providence. How can you cultivate patience in your daily life, especially when facing challenges or waiting for God's plan to unfold? [59:28]
5. Think about a current situation where you feel wronged or unjustly treated. How can you trust in God's providence and remain patient, believing that justice will come in God's perfect timing? [01:09:42]
6. The sermon referenced the crucifixion of Jesus as the greatest injustice, yet it led to the greatest triumph. How can this perspective help you endure and find hope in your own experiences of injustice? [49:32]
7. Identify one specific area in your life where you need to trust more in God's plan and timing. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate your trust and patience in that area? [59:28]