In Esther chapter 8, the King issued a powerful decree. It was sealed with his signet ring. Esther 8:8 highlights a Spiritual Principle. A decree written in the King’s name and sealed with the King’s ring CANNOT BE REVOKED.

So what was in this decree and why does it still matter today?

First part of Esther 8 Verse 11 says, the King granted the right for the Jews in every city to assemble themselves …. lets just stop there for a minute. We should be grateful. Even being able to assemble together is a privilege. This privilege is based on the favor of our King Jesus. We know there are many countries where Christians cannot gather together openly to worship the King and to pray. And yet at great cost they do. So for us who are able to, let’s not take this lightly! Assembling is because of the King’s decree. Let’s pray for continued ability to gather and pray.

The next part of verse 11 says, they were granted the right to assemble so that they could protect themselves and destroy any army of people or province that came against them. THIS IS HUGE!!
In Luke 10:19 Jesus says, “Behold I have given you authority to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
This is King Jesus’ decree for His disciples! We walk in the Authority granted to us by our King, to assemble and dismantle the power of the enemy. This is also why we assemble. There is power in the assembly and unity of the body in dealing with the power of the enemy.

What was the result of this decree?
There was much rejoicing among the people. Esther 8:17 says that the Jews had gladness and joy, banquets and holidays. Reminds me of Ps 23 where the Lord prepares a banquet for us in the presence of our enemies.
And here is the most remarkable part of this decree. “Many peoples of the land became Jews, because the fear of the Jews had overcome them.”

There was revival and harvest! What are the 2 key ingredients for revival and harvest in our day? The Spirit of the fear of the Lord and repentance. In Proverbs 1 the Spirit of Wisdom cries out to the people to turn at her rebuke (v23). She says those who did not turn is because they hated knowledge and did not fear the Lord (v29).

So as we consider the King’s decree over the land – let us:
– Be grateful and continue to pray for the right to assemble
– Take authority over the works of darkness, especially when we assemble for worship and prayer
– Let us rejoice and be glad. Let us walk with gratitude and joy that is infectious to others in the land around us. In a world consumed by fear and anxiety, we carry the precious oil of Gladness! It is attractive and powerful
– Let us pray for revival and harvest, crying out to the Lord of the Harvest to send His Spirit of the fear of the Lord and repentance to sweep our land