Good morning. Today is Tuesday, June 16th!

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— Esther 4:14

One of the biggest and most debated questions people have when reading the Bible is this:

What happens if someone ignores God’s calling on their life?

Can someone completely reject what God is asking them to do?
And if they do, does God raise up someone else instead?

The Bible actually seems to show that sometimes, yes.

One of the clearest verses pointing toward this is in Book of Esther when Mordecai tells Esther:

“If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place…”
Esther 4:14

That verse is incredibly deep because it shows two things happening at once:
• God’s plan was still going to happen
• Esther still had a real choice whether to participate in it

Mordecai is essentially telling her:
“God will still save His people. The real question is whether you want to be part of what He’s doing.”

And throughout Scripture, we repeatedly see people resist, avoid, delay, or even lose the role God originally gave them.

Moses tried multiple times to avoid his calling at the burning bush:
• “Who am I?”
• “What if they don’t believe me?”
• “I can’t speak well.”
• “Please send someone else.”

Eventually Aaron becomes his spokesman, which some scholars even wonder may partially connect to Moses resisting initially.

But one of the clearest examples of someone seemingly losing their role entirely is King Saul.

Saul was chosen by God to be king, but through repeated disobedience, pride, and partial obedience, he loses the kingdom.

Then God raises up David instead.

God’s larger plan for Israel still moved forward…
but Saul personally lost the role he had been given.

Even Judas becomes an example of this.

Judas Iscariot walked closely with Jesus, saw miracles firsthand, and was one of the twelve disciples.

But after betraying Jesus, another disciple later takes his place in Acts of the Apostles.

So… The Bible suggests God’s plans are bigger than any one person… but being part of what God is doing is still a privilege we do not want to miss.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: God, thank You for inviting us into Your plans.

Confession: Forgive us for the times we resist or ignore Your calling.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for Your patience, mercy, and grace toward us.

Supplication: Help us trust You, obey You, and not miss what You have for us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

“Jireh” by Limoblaze, Lecrae, & Happi

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God