BEHIND THE SCENES

One church made a video for YouTube. In the clip, a guy wakes up covered in wrapping paper. As he rips it off, he gives thanks for his life and breath and all the other gifts in his life: his family, food, clean water and many other things we so often take for granted.

Although God isn’t mentioned in the video, He’s the reason behind the guy’s thankfulness. The Bible shows God at work behind the scenes providing every good gift in our lives (JAMES 1:17).

The Bible book of Esther, similarly, is a story that never openly mentions God, yet we see Him clearly working behind every scene. In an unlikely series of events, Esther, a young Jewish woman, becomes the queen of Persia. Later, an official named Haman plots to destroy the Jewish people as revenge for Esther’s uncle Mordecai refusing to honour him (ESTHER 3:1-10). Ultimately, what Mordecai tells Esther proves true: “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (4:14). Chapters 5-10 show how God saved His people through her actions and trust in Him.

God is always busy at work in our stories. Even when He seems distant, He is working behind the scenes to provide for us, help us grow and use us for the things He has planned.

What I’m thankful for . . .

Dear God, we praise You for all You have given us and for all You have done and continue to do in our lives.