Seeing God's Hand in our Lives

As I studied about the Book of Esther this week, it was interesting to me to learn from several sources that there is no mention of God in the entire book! As readers, it is up to us to look for the hand of God in her story because even though He is not mentioned by name, His works are all throughout this book. Here are some examples...

• Queen Vashti is removed from her position which makes a way for Esther to be in a position to become the next queen. (Chapter 1)
• Esther is the least decorated of all the women and yet she is still the one chosen to be the queen. (Chapter 2)
• Mordecai overhears a plot to kill the king. He tells Esther and she is able to warn the king and save his life. (Chapter 2)
• The king does not kill Esther when she comes unannounced into court. (Chapter 5)
• Esther holds back her request to the king for a few days and while waiting, feels prompted to invite he and Haman to come to a banquet with her. (Chapter 5)
• Following the banquet and the night before Haman plans to have Mordecai killed, the king is reminded about Mordecai's good deed. (Chapter 6)
• Once Haman is killed, Mordecai is appointed to take his place. Together, he and Esther are able to convince the king to reverse the decree that mandates the killing of the Jews (Chapter 8)

Do you ever feel like the presence of God is hidden in your life like He is in the book of Esther? Sometimes it takes some time looking deeply to find Him in our personal stories. 

The talk giving by Pres. Eyring entitled O Remember, Remember gives great counsel regarding how to see the hand of God in our lives. He says "the challenge to remember has always been the hardest for those who are blessed abundantly. Those who are faithful to God are protected and prospered. That comes as the result of serving God and keeping His commandments. But with those blessings comes the temptation to forget their source. It is easy to begin to feel the blessings were granted not by a loving God on whom we depend but by our own powers...Sadly, prosperity is not the only reason people forget God. It can also be hard to remember Him when our lives go badly. When we struggle, as so many do, in grinding poverty or when our enemies prevail against us or when sickness is not healed, the enemy of our souls can send his evil message that there is no God or that if He exists He does not care about us. Then it can be hard for the Holy Ghost to bring to our remembrance the lifetime of blessings the Lord has given us from our infancy and in the midst of our distress...My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done."