Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar annually as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. (Est 9:20-22 NIV)

Prayer: LORD, I choose to embrace joy today because as certain as You are, my circumstances will change. There will be a day when I look back and say, “This was when it changed.” Whether today, tomorrow or a long time, I set my heart to trust Your choosing, timing, and promises regardless of present circumstances or how I feel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.