Who Does God Choose to Work Through?

07/21/21 • 15 min

What kind of person does God choose to work through most often?

Can he work through me too?

The book of Esther is a classic expression of the biblical idea that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. And God is still in the habit of elevating those who society has deemed unimportant. It might not always look as heroic as Esther’s story, but God can use anybody as an instrument for his purposes. If we want to partner with God, we don’t have to be rich, important, or powerful. We simply need to trust him over everything else.

Bible Reading

Esther 4:1-6, 12-17

Reflection Questions

1. God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. What are some other stories in the Bible where we see this truth?

2. With those stories in mind, what does it practically mean to be humble? How is it a mindset as well as an action?

3. What is one courageous step, small or big, that you could take today to trust God and humbly serve your community?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Bible study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.

Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes
Message: Dr. Tim Mackie
Bible Reading: Michelle Jones
Production: Cooper Peltz, Dan Gummel, and Zach McKinley
Theme music: Grant William Harold
Background Music: A Certain Distance, Sean Williams

Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

What kind of person does God choose to work through most often?

Can he work through me too?

Bible Reading

Esther 4:1-6, 12-17

Reflection Questions

1. God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. What are some other stories in the Bible where we see this truth?

2. With those stories in mind, what does it practically mean to be humble? How is it a mindset as well as an action?

3. What is one courageous step, small or big, that you could take today to trust God and humbly serve your community?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Bible study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.

Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes
Message: Dr. Tim Mackie
Bible Reading: Michelle Jones
Production: Cooper Peltz, Dan Gummel, and Zach McKinley
Theme music: Grant William Harold
Background Music: A Certain Distance, Sean Williams

Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Previous Episode

Is God Inclusive?

Yahweh warned Israel not to tie themselves to foreign gods through marriage. But when those same foreigners left their gods to honor him, Yahweh welcomed them with open arms. Yahweh’s people were not as welcoming. Ezra and Nehemiah loved God, but they were misguided to exclude foreigners from joining God’s people. Since Ezra and Nehemiah weren’t exactly models for godliness and reform, what can we learn from their stories? How can we welcome others in the family of God who are different from us?

Bible Reading

Isaiah 56:3,6-8 in contrast to Ezra 4:1-3

Reflection Questions

What are some behaviors that might show another follower of Jesus that they belong in the family of God?
What are some behaviors that could exclude or alienate another follower of Jesus from your community?
What is one small step you can take today to encourage someone else’s sense of belonging?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Bible study guide to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.
Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes
Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn
Production: Dan Gummel and Zach Mckinley
Bible Reading: Dan Gummel
Theme music: Grant William Harold
Background Music: "Reflections" by Pete James Johnson

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Next Episode

There’s Hope in the Nightmare

The book of Daniel explores what it means to be God’s people while living in a culture that is set against his values. How do God’s people remain faithful and confident in a situation like this? The strange dream in Daniel chapter 7 gives us some insight. In it we see there’s a kingdom ruled by the “Son of Man,” the one with all “authority, glory and sovereign power.” The oppressive rulers of this world will fail, but the Son of Man’s rule will never end. So when arrogant kings rise up, the people of God can look to a more powerful King. His name is Jesus, and all his followers are invited to live in the humble values of his Kingdom now, even while living amidst the kingdoms of Earth. Let’s reflect more on this

Bible Reading

Daniel 7:9-14

Reflection Questions

1. How can the arrogant beasts in Daniel’s vision help you notice oppression in the culture around you?

2. How do you imagine the Kingdom of Jesus bringing hope to the oppression in your culture?

3. How can the Son of Man in Daniel’s vision inspire you to stand up to the oppression around you?

Want to Go Deeper?

Check out this episode's Bible study to watch a video and explore more detailed questions for personal study and group discussion. Go to bibleproject.com/study.
Show Credits

Host: Cheree Hayes
Message: Dr. Carissa Quinn
Production: Cooper Peltz
Production and Bible Reading: Dan Gummel
Pre-Production: Zach McKinley
Theme music: Grant William Harold
Background Music: Kyle Preston, Twilight

Powered and distributed by Simplecast.