Esther 6:1

"On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king."

Divine providence is the hand of God in the affairs of man. How many times I cannot count, when the Lord moved within my life for His glory? It is His plan; it is His honor to be sought; it is His Divine will to be done. Men speak of 'luck', 'chance', or 'conicedence', it is none of these things, it is the will of God. And who is able to thwart the will of God in such times? There is none. On that night could not the king sleep - the natural course of man is to sleep at night; When sleep departs during the night hour, there is a reason for it. Now, it might be explained that it was something you ate; something you watched; something on your mind and heart, and all that might be true to some degree. But this night the king, who normally could sleep, could not, for the Lord was at work. He is the God of the day as well as of the night. So that when we consider how many times He speaks, moves and works in the night, it is no surprise to us. 'The Lord Who giveth songs in the night'. and when sleep departs during the night, is it the Lord speaking or moving? When did He speak to Samuel? When he laid down to sleep. When did Jacob wrestle with the angel? During the night. When did Jesus pray in the garden? During the night. The Lord withdraws sleep from us, for the kingdom's work is to be done. If you had an emergency during the night, that required immediate attention, woudl you roll back over and go to sleep? No, you would arise and tend to it. such is spiritual matters of the soul and eternity. There are those that while we sleep, the Lord has stirred them up to seek His face. Consider next time, you cannot sleep, 'Is it the Lord moving?' and say, 'Here am I, Lord; speak for Your servant is listening'. He commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles - this is the conclusion of the matter found within chapter 2:21-23; Again Divine providence is at work. Just the same as when Mordecai reported the threats of the king's chamberlains and he reported it. It was recorded but nothing done to honor Mordecai for his faithfulness to the king. It was preserved till this night for what was getting ready to be done to save the Jews. This is the hand of God at work in the lives of men. Can you see it? So when one complains that God is not mentioned in the book of Esther; His Name does not need to be mentioned, for His hand is upon it. He kept the king up; and He led him to ask for the books to be brought to read of the affairs of his kingdom. And turning to the right place and reading, Mordecai's act of heroism is read and the king hears it. Oh, how marvelous is our God Who works the life given unto Him. This was not for the king, it was not for Esther, it was not for Mordecai or Haman; this was for a people that God had promised to protect and deliver. And even though, their sin was so great that God removed them fromt he prmised land,still He is watching over them. And how much more, will He do it for us! Can you not believe that God is in love with you and seeks your betterment in this world for His glory? Can you not see His hand of mercy that has preserved you thus far? None of us would be here, if it was not for the merciful, providentcial hand of the Lord. Conside these things, take heart and rejoice in the Lord. His ways are right and greatly to be praised!