Ladies, we have come to the conclusion of the book of Esther.  Today will be our last devotional from Esther.  I have learned much from all the characters in this book, and I thank God for preserving this account for us through the ages. Join me now as we read the last short chapter.    Esther 10:1-3 (HCSB) 1 King Ahasuerus imposed a tax throughout the land even to the farthest shores. 2 All of his powerful and magnificent accomplishments and the detailed account of Mordecai’s great rank to which the king had promoted him, have they not been written in the court record of daily events of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus, famous among the Jews, and highly popular with many of his relatives. He continued to seek good for his people and to speak for the welfare of all his kindred. Mordecai would finish as he had begun – a man of integrity with the peace of God.  Throughout the entire account, we have never seen him in a panic.  Why?  Because he knew that God is faithful. Man is fickle and untrustworthy, but God is faithful. Psalms 20:7 (KJV) 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Job trusted God through the loss of his children, his servants, his animals, his wealth, and the support of his wife and his friends.   David trusted God in countless situations and for many years. Psalms 34:8 (HCSB) 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him! How do we learn to trust God?  We must “taste and see.”  We do that by accepting the principles of Scripture and following these principles even when they seem impractical or frightening.                             Mark 8:22-26 (HCSB) 22 Then they came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to Him and begged Him to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village. Spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people—they look to me like trees walking.” 25 Again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and he saw distinctly. He was cured and could see everything clearly. 26 Then He sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.” Why didn’t Jesus heal the man immediately?  We aren’t told, but I believe that the blind man’s faith – and those who witnessed this event – were strengthened.  They learned to trust Jesus.  The blind man had to follow a man he did not know to a place he did not know.  He had to allow Jesus to use spit on his eyes.  He had to allow Jesus to touch him.  Jesus could have cured the man with a word; Jesus could have cured him instantly rather than touching him twice; and Jesus could have cured him where they brought the man to Him.  But each time that Jesus brought the man closer to sight; the man learned more trust. What circumstance in your life is frustrating you?  What circumstance is threatening to overwhelm you?  What circumstance is causing you to doubt or struggle? Are you willing to follow Jesus? Jesus said: Mark 8:34-35 (HCSB) 34 Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. Carrying a cross as a Believer requires much trust.  Even when we cannot see where we are going, we must follow.  Even when we cannot see a possible end to our pain (physical or emotional), we must follow.  Even when we must go to a new place in our lives – physical or emotional – we must follow. Will you follow Jesus?  He is waiting for you.  Bow your head or look to heaven and hold out your hand… **Lord Jesus, I will follow You anywhere.  I trust You with my circumstances.  I believe that You have my best interest at heart and I will follow the principles in Your Word.  Lead me, Lord.  Lead me where I have never been before.  Here am I; send me.  Amen.