Why is it that every time you read a biography of a godly man or woman, it’s always filled with stories of hardship and persecution? You might say of some missionary, “Well, I’d really love to leave the kind of legacy he did, but I sure don’t want his life!” But the truth is . . . you can’t have one without the other. Jesus said that “all who desire to live a godly life in the world will be persecuted,” so expect it, embrace it, and by all means endure it.
Scandals abound in a drama cast in the ancient Persian Empire. In the midst of political intrigue and betrayal, a beautiful orphan girl suddenly becomes the leading character, as God’s providence rescues His people from certain death. At first glance, Esther is the heroine and Mordecai the master manipulator. Take a closer look, however, and you’ll discover that behind the scenes, God is pulling the strings as His sovereign providence unfolds.