Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. (Est 9:20-22 NIV)
Prayer: LORD, help me to look to You today with joy in my heart and celebrate what will happen in the future, because as certain as You are, my circumstances will change. Give me courage and strength to maintain my faith and hope in You and trust You that no matter how difficult things may be now, there will come a day when I too will be able to look back and say, "This was when it changed." It may be tomorrow, or it may not be for a long time yet, but things will certainly change. I set my heart to trust Your timing and to look to Your unfailing promises, regardless of present circumstances. In Jesus' name, Amen