Purim on the Jewish calendar falls on the first weekend of March and is a holiday filled with food, drink and festivities. Customs include giving charity to the poor, a special meal and a public reciting of the book of Esther. Informal plays with masks and costumes rehearse the deliverance of the Lord concerning the “lot” that was cast by Haman to secure a date when the nation of Israel was to be annihilated. Persia conquered Babylon and assumed oversight of the Israelites who were a threat to the Persians. Esther came along “for such a time as this!” Imagine having an annual holiday where you “celebrate” the day that you were supposed to be executed!
I must admit that it’s easier for me to commemorate something like a birthday or an anniversary. It is a novel concept to celebrate something that the enemy planned for harm but God turned for good. On January 21, 1991, I began bleeding internally and lost two-thirds of my blood. I almost died on the operating table, going over four minutes without breathing. God spared my life at age 36 and He whispered to me in the intensive care unit that “He had already numbered my days; I was not leaving early!”
Thinking about next year, I’m going to plan a party and celebrate the day that God interrupted Satan’s plans in my life. I’ll probably have some spicy food, walk a couple of miles and loudly declare the goodness of the Lord! Dr. McAlwee told Debbie after my surgery that I might have some brain damage from the loss of oxygen. This has come in pretty handy when I don’t want to remember something I’ve promised her!
Think about celebrating a God “interruption” that totally turned the tables. Go ahead, throw a party and invite your friends and family. I’ll bet you’ve got some wonderful stories to tell!
“LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.” -1 Kings 8:23 (NKJV)
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By: Glenn Burris Jr., general supervisor
