I am not a huge football fan, but I do love to watch an unexpected play. In the video above you see dynamic play review of a “reverse play” or “reversal”. According to Google, a reversal in football is a relatively common trick play in American football that involves one or more abrupt changes in the lateral flow of a rushing play. I sat and watched the entire video above because it was exciting, unexpected, and led to a great ending.
This is exactly what we see in our reading of Esther 9 and 10 today. God took a helpless and hopeless situation and turned it around.
We read in this chapter that the day the Jewish people had dreaded was finally here. Haman, the second in command, had a plan to kill Mordecai and wipe out all Jewish people. However, Queen Esther was able to appeal to King Ahasuerus. King Ahasuerus allowed Mordecai to issue an opposing decree allowing the Jews to defend their lives with lethal force.
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the edict commanded by the king was to be carried out. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them.
Esther 9:1
Instead of death, the Jews walked in victory. A true reversal had happened. It is not what they expected to happen. God had worked behind the scenes to bring this victory to His people.
God is in control. Even when He is silent, we can trust that He is at work. Just as the Jewish people thought they would face their demise, God brought about the reversal they needed to experience victory.
We can expect the same reversals in our life. Instead of death, we can choose Jesus and receive life. Instead of condemnation, we can receive forgiveness. Instead of hell, we can receive the gift of life and eternity in Heaven.
Jesus dying on the cross for you and I was the true reversal. The ULTIMATE reversal. Because of Him, we can walk in victory.