Advent day 9

light the 9th candle on the Advent Log.

Advent Candle 9

The scepter.
Second only to the crown as a symbol of power.
Rulers hold the scepter.

I have read the story of Esther with a unique perspective. This feels a bit like sexual assault to me.
I am not sure that I would appreciate being kidnapped – so to speak – to become one of the King’s potential mates.
Probably to be used once, and then thrown aside, potentially never to be free again, and definitely not able to get married and have a family.

Anyway, in the story, in order for Esther to save her people, she must risk her life by boldly going into the throne room, and requesting an audience with the King. King Artexurxes(sp) was known for his having people killed on a whim. If he did not reach out his scepter to her, and welcome her into the throne room, she would die.

Putting her life on the line, to go into the throne room of a great and powerful King, in order to intercede for her people. Amazing. And this she did after three days of prayer and fasting.

Genesis 49:10 says that the scepter shall not depart from Judah:

The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,[a]
until he to whom it belongs[b] shall come
and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Isaiah 9:6-7, the great Christmas passage, talks about Jesus ruling:

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

I get Jesus being King of Kings – which was why yesterday’s symbol was a crown.
But the scepter? How does that apply to me? I go back to Esther’s story.

Because I have sinned, and I am not holy, I cannot enter into the throne room of a Holy God. (Hab 1:13) God is too holy to look upon sin, which is why sin brought death and separation into the world.
Because Jesus died on my behalf, paid my death penalty, In Christ, I can enter into the throne room with no concern of a Holy God destroying me for my unholiness.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:14 & 16

Because of Jesus, God the Father, on the great white throne of Judgement(actually, that will be Jesus), extends His scepter and welcomes me into His presence for fellowship.

We just bought a new house.
Because I am not able to see all the doors from everywhere, very unlike the RV, we put in a security system.
This security system has a code to enter, and only those with the code may do so, without sounding the alarm, and having the police called.
During our Thanksgiving trip to Ohio, we needed someone to look after our cat, Purrl. Because we trusted her, she had her own code to enter into the house. She also had a key, but that is a different symbol.
The security system let us know every time she entered and exited. Her freedom to enter in was given to her by US, because of her commitment, and the freedom was based in that code.

Another Bible story is about the High Priest serving in the Holy of Holies. He had to go through much purification prior to, be committed to His service, and bring the blood of the sacrifice to the altar. Because it was so dangerous, that God might strike the person dead for entering in without purification first, they had ropes tied around their waists so that their bodies could be pulled out. They knew about those that died that touched the altar, even by mistake. The purity and holiness of God was a serious issue, and going before him with sin in your heart was a deadly issue.

In order for me to enter into the Holy of Holies, where God presides, I must commit my life to being Christ’s servant, and embrace His blood sacrifice on my behalf.
The blood of Jesus is the code to unlock the door to the Holy of Holies!

Gal 2:20 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1John 1:7

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Eph 3:12

11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet 1:11

Jesus is the rod of Jesse, the scepter holder, and He extends the scepter to, well, whosoever will!

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16

And I say – “I WILL!”

Sadly, sometime prior to 2007, I lost my scepter ornament. We had made several, one with a dowel rod and a styrofoam ball. It was spray painted gold(not good for styrofoam) and sequins and such. Those fell apart. The other was made with shrinky dink – paint plastic and then put it into the oven and it shrank, and became intricate. Such is the crown from yesterday, and the following ornaments.

The thing is, the scepter of God has been extended to me, and you, and we have been given full access into the throne room, and one of those reasons is to obtain GRACE. Through Christ, we already have favor.
Another is to obtain Joy – because in His presence(when you are a welcome guest) there is fullness of Joy! I confess that I need Grace to deal with the daily struggles, and Joy to defeat depression. Who doesn’t?

Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the price, and giving me the code to enter into Your Kingdom. Give me grace to remember your gifts daily, and mercy for my faults. I confess that I yield to the depression, and forget to enter in to be filled with Joy. Thank you for all the reminders in this season for JOY! Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Amen.

Advent Day 9

More Advent Devotions

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

• Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
• Billy Graham’s version of the Plan of salvation

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

• Naomi’s Heart Ministries
• Obed’s House Ministries
• The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.