TUESDAY, JANUARY 26
Scripture: Esther 2:5-6; Esther 4:14

Mordecai was faithful in his childlessness to raise up the next generation in caring for and nurturing his niece Esther. It was Mordecai’s great-grandfather Kish who had been captured with Jeconiah, king of Judah and made captive by Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. Mordecai’s family had been in a similar spot to Daniel’s. We can see from Mordecai’s actions in mourning with sackcloth and ashes that he had followed the traditions of his people, even being three generations removed from Jerusalem. Living this long in exile had not dulled his sense of duty, nor his love or loyalty to the Lord his God and to his Hebrew people and heritage. He did not hesitate to point to Esther and challenge her to risk her life in coming before the king. Mordecai sensed that God had placed them in that situation for just such a time. He was a godly man who recognized the importance of divine favor and God’s alignment of destiny moments. May we be faithful in executing our duties over those whom God has placed in our charge, whether we have children or God has placed certain of His children in our heart! May God help us identify those in our spheres whose lives we are assigned to minister, and give us the words to speak and prayers to pray to open their hearts to what He has for them!