Cindy Powell

NOTE: In honor of Purim, I recently reread the book of Esther. As I got to the end, the Lord reminded me of something profound He showed me years ago. I  shared some of those insights here on my blog (including a podcast) about a year and half ago and I felt compelled to re-post it today as it is more relevant than ever. We are more than a conquerors and it IS time to take the land!

It was clear the Holy Spirit was making a point. 

The message was there not once, not twice, but three times in the span of six verses (Esther 9:10, 15, and 16):  “But they did not lay their hands on the plunder.”

They could have. The Jews had nearly been annihilated, but God rose up a deliverer in Esther. She and Mordecai uncovered the plot Haman had hatched to destroy them and their people. She went to the King and found favor with him. A new decree was issued allowing the Jews to defend themselves. But the decree didn’t stop there–they were specifically granted the right to take the enemy’s property (see Esther 8:11).

But they didn’t.

I wonder how often we do that?

I wonder how often we settle for far less than the full riches our King has granted us?

I wonder often we get sidetracked and stuck in a defensive posture so we never end up taking new ground for the Kingdom?

I wonder how often we settle for surviving when God wants us to thrive?

Beloved, you were never meant to merely survive.  According to Romans 8:37 – We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

Years ago I heard that verse expounded on this way:

“This is more than victory. This is a triumph so complete that we not only have escaped defeat and destruction but also have destroyed our enemies and won plunder so rich and valuable we can actually thank God for the battle!”

Where is your area of deepest loss, deepest grief, deepest struggle? Could it be that this is the very area into which God will bring the greatest riches and the greatest victory? The greatest redemption and restoration? Could this be the area that He will enable you not only to escape defeat, but to actually win such rich and valuable plunder that you’re grateful  for the battle?

It’s time. The season has changed. It is time to go from defense to offense. It’s time to gain new ground. It’s time to drive out fear with love. It’s time to bring light into the deepest darkness. It’s time to overcome evil with good. No matter how badly things seem stacked against you. No matter how much pain you’ve endured, our God wins with any hand. There is hope. There is redemption. You are more than a conqueror. We are more than conquerors. And this time we won’t stop short. This time we will do far more than survive.

This time we will plunder the enemy’s goods!

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Here is the podcast link I originally attached to the devotion. It is on my old feed but it should still work:  Monday Morning Musings – More Than Conquerors

And the Sound Cloud Link: