Wed., 1/30/13 Devotion (Esth. 7:10)

Today's encouragement comes from Esther 7:10, where we read these words:

"So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mor-decai. Then the king's wrath subsided."

The Lord Jesus was hung on a cross, paying for the sins of all God's elect church. The cross (death and hell) had been prepared for our sins--not for the pristine and perfect Son of God. Through the Mes-siah's substitutionary death on our behalf, "The King's [God's] wrath subsided" against us.

The redemptive benefits of Jesus' sacrifice of His life on the cross only affect those who are atoned for by Him. In this sense, it is believers *especially* who put Him there--because of our sins. Let us marvel at God's grace and love, in Christ!

[Puritan quote of the day: "What is it to enjoy good health, a brave estate, and not to enjoy God?" --Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divin-ity"]