Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #Estherstory #power #politics #positions

Dear Father, It’s easy to assume that some areas of life may be too fleshly to be engaged by a spiritual person or approached from a spiritual standpoint. For instance, politics seems to be a dirty game, so why should spiritual men engage in it? Doctors often work on Sundays; isn’t that profaning the law of the gathering of the brethren? Beauty pageants are no place for a true believer. Yet the story of Esther teaches us differently. First, she became queen through a contest, and then, concerning matters of politics, she tells Mordecai, “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise.” Who would have thought that a queen who lives in a palace would see a relationship between politics and spirituality, and seek Your face in the face of the impending destruction of her people? Perhaps a position is not made carnal by the field to which it belongs, but by our interpretation of it. Perhaps politics is called a dirty game because those with clean hands have refused to play. Perhaps we can be queens and still be godly. Perhaps worship is not exclusively reserved for Sunday gatherings. We’ve come a long way, choosing withdrawal over meddling, holding firmly to the belief that, “To remain holy, I must be set apart.” But if spiritual men would rather preserve themselves from the rest of the world, what do we do when our race is under attack and all our Esthers are found in the church? Translations: Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #Estherstory #power #politics #positions

St. Giles He was a Greek saint and was born in an Athenian noble family, in the year 650 A.D. Legend says that he was the son of King Theodore and Queen Pelagia of Athens. He was spending a lot of his time in solitude in a forest near Nimes and there his only companion was a red deer. One day a hunter shot an arrow aimed at the red deer but the arrow wounded the saint. As per one story about him, the said red deer gave St. Giles her milk to sustain him. St. Giles ate only vegetarian diet and was very much reputed for his personal sanctity. He was credited with many miracles. A King named Wamba, a Visigoth King, constructed a monastery for St. Giles and placed it under the Benedictine Rule. St. Giles rejected all honors conferred on him. He died in the year 710. St. Giles is revered as a patron of physically handicapped. #Catholic #trust #saint #physicallyhandicapped #patron #universe #world #peace #vegetarian #personal #sanctity #personalsantity #pure #diet #deer

GREAT CONDOLENCES TO TORO KINGDOM — KING OYO HAS PASSED — AND STRENGTHENING TO MONARCH, MOTHER BEST KEMIGISA, AND ROYAL FAMILY To Her Royal Highness Best Kemigisa — Queen Mother — To Prime Minister of Toro Kingdom — To Royal House, Batebe, Princes, Princesses — To All Batoro — With heavy broken heart we have heard — Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has gone home — 34 years — Young king who ruled 31 years — Heb 9:27 — It is appointed for men to die once — Ps 146:4 — His spirit departs — We send great condolences — Rom 12:15 — Weep with those who weep — Ps 34:18 — LORD is near to those with broken heart — Ps 147:3 — He heals brokenhearted — May God strengthen you — Isa 41:10 — Fear not, for I am with you... I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand — 2 Cor 1:3-4 — Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all tribulation ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR KING OF KINGS — We remember this about our King — Omukama Oyo, proudly declared his relationship with God despite the open criticism. Despite being a king, he knew there was a King of kings that he deeply prayed and dedicated his life to. This is greatest testimony — Though he had earthly throne Karuziika — He knew there is higher throne — Rev 19:16 — On His robe name written KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS — 1 Tim 6:15 — King of kings and Lord of lords — Dan 2:21 — He removes kings and raises up kings — He humbled — James 4:6 — God resists proud, but gives grace to humble Though open criticism came — Culture mocked when king kneels to Jesus — He was not ashamed — Proudly declared relationship with God — Rom 1:16 — I am not ashamed of gospel of Christ — Matt 10:32 — Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father in heaven — Like 144,000 with Father's Name on forehead — Rev 14:1 He deeply prayed — Dedicated his life to King of kings — Matt 6:33 — Seek first Kingdom of God — Ps 2:10-12 — Be wise O kings... Kiss Son lest He be angry — Josh 24:15 — As for me and my house, we will serve LORD Because of that love — Though body dead — Soul remains Lord's — Rom 14:8 — For if we live, we live to Lord; and if we die, we die to Lord. Therefore whether we live or die, we are Lord's — John 11:25 — I am resurrection and life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live — Rev 14:13 — Blessed are dead who die in Lord — May his soul rest in peace — 🙏🕊️ LETTING NEXT KING KNOW — AND ALL TO BELIEVE SAME WAY — JESUS IS LOVE IS GREAT THING TO FILL OUR HEARTS IN THIS LAST DAYS WE LIVING: We pray to next King — Heir to throne — Remember love of former King for Jesus — Believe same way — This last age — Matt 24:12 — Because lawlessness will abound, love of many will grow cold — But we must keep love hot — Jesus is love is great thing to fill our hearts all — 1 John 4:8 — He who does not love does not know God, for God is love 1 John 4:16 — God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him 1 John 4:19 — We love Him because He first loved us Rom 5:5 — Love of God has been poured out in our hearts by Holy Spirit 1 Cor 13:13 — Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but greatest of these is love John 13:35 — By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another John 15:9 — As Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love If next King abides in this love — Dedicated life to King of kings — Pray deeply — Proudly declare God despite criticism — Then he will stand like 144,000 — Rev 14:4-5 — not defiled, virgins, follow Lamb wherever He goes, redeemed firstfruits, no deceit in mouth, without fault before throne — Eph 5:27 — glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish Let Toro Kingdom — Norway King Haakon — USA, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Mideast, UK — All kingdoms — Choose love over bloodshed — 1 Pet 4:17 — judgment begins at house of God Father, comfort Mother — Strengthen Monarch — Lift next King with same heart for King of kings — Let Jesus love fill Toro hearts in this last days — Let Oyo's testimony ignite many — In Name of Jesus King of kings — Amen.

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE : SATURDAY 29th AUGUST 2026 THEME : Don’t OVERWORK YOURSELF Memorise: And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. — Genesis 2:2 (KJV) Read: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (KJV) 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. �5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. �6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. �7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. �8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. Message Elijah must have used up a lot of stored-up spiritual energy when he prayed, and fire fell from heaven in 1 Kings 18:36-38. After that, he drew upon the same reservoir of spiritual energy to summon rain from heaven. It had not rained for three and a half years, and the sky was absolutely clear, but he put a significant demand on his reservoir of spiritual energy by praying until it started raining (1 Kings 18:41-45). Furthermore, he used even more spiritual energy to run faster than the king's chariot (1 Kings 18:46) for a distance that some Bible scholars estimate to be about seven kilometres. After doing all these, he hadn't rested or taken time to recharge his spiritual energy when he received news that Queen Jezebel was after his life. His spiritual energy had been grossly depleted, so he ran for three days and nights to save his life. By the time he got to the juniper tree in today's Bible reading, he was so weak and spiritually drained that he prayed to God to end his life. As soon as he said this prayer, he fell asleep because he had not slept for more than three days. The angel of the Lord came to wake him up to eat, and after eating, he fell asleep again, even though he was aware that Queen Jezebel was still after his life. The angel of the Lord had to wake him up a second time to eat again because he needed strength for the great journey ahead of him. You must also take time out to rest and recharge your spiritual energy if you want to run the race ahead of you successfully. In Genesis 1:1-31, the Bible describes how God created one thing after another. It was a lot of work, but as the account progressed to Genesis 2:2, which is today's memory verse, you will see that God rested. Beloved, you cannot be wiser than God. If God Himself rested after creation, then you must also create time to rest from time to time. Do not finish one demanding task after another without taking time to rest. Many people have overworked themselves to the point of exhaustion, but this is not God's plan for anyone. He wants you to know when and how to take rests so you don't burn yourself out. Beloved, I pray that the Almighty God will shower you with His wisdom so you will know how to preserve your strength, in Jesus' name. Reflection: �Do you rest when you ought to? Bible in Ezekiel 18-20 Hymn 33: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah! Verse 1:�Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,�Pilgrim through this barren land;�I am weak, but Thou art mighty,�Hold me with Thy powerful hand;�Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,�Feed me till I want no more. Verse 2:�Open now the crystal fountain,�Whence the healing stream doth flow;�Let the fire and cloudy pillar�Lead me all my journey through;�Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,�Be Thou still my strength and shield. Verse 3: When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death, and hell's destruction, Land me safe on Canaan's side; Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee. [29/08, 5:49 am] +234 806 008 5461: ‎PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, SATURDAY, 29TH AUGUST, 2026- *DON'T OVERWORK YOURSELF I* ‎ PRAYER POINTS ‎ 1.Father, thank You for giving us the day, to work, and the night, for rest. Thank You for daily renewing my energy. 2.Father, thank You for the journey so far, and for the race ahead of me. Thank You for Your promise to abide with me to the very end. 3.Father, please help me to continually wait on You that my strength will be renewed; help me to run the race ahead of me and not be weary, to walk and never faint, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to ignore the need to rest when I ought to, so i can fulfill Your assignment for me on earth, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please strengthen me when I am weak and help me not to overwork myself so I can finish well and finish strong, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to be wise enough to create time to rest from time to time. Help me not to rely on my own strength or ability but to trust in Your grace to see me through all my works, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me to know when and how to take rests so I don't burn myself out, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please shower me with Your wisdom so I will know how to preserve my strength, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help all Your children to take adequate rest when they need to, so they can remain relevant in the kingdom assignment and to their families in Jesus' name. 10.Father, as many of Your ministers that are already exhausted and thinking of giving up, please encourage and renew their strength again, in Jesus'name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Please grant him grace to remain spiritually refueled, recharged and reloaded for Your use, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.[28/08, 7:59 pm] +234 806 008 5461: OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL DATE : SATURDAY 29th AUGUST 2026 THEME : Don’t OVERWORK YOURSELF Memorise: And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. — Genesis 2:2 (KJV) Read: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (KJV) 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. �5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. �6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. �7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. �8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. Message Elijah must have used up a lot of stored-up spiritual energy when he prayed, and fire fell from heaven in 1 Kings 18:36-38. After that, he drew upon the same reservoir of spiritual energy to summon rain from heaven. It had not rained for three and a half years, and the sky was absolutely clear, but he put a significant demand on his reservoir of spiritual energy by praying until it started raining (1 Kings 18:41-45). Furthermore, he used even more spiritual energy to run faster than the king's chariot (1 Kings 18:46) for a distance that some Bible scholars estimate to be about seven kilometres. After doing all these, he hadn't rested or taken time to recharge his spiritual energy when he received news that Queen Jezebel was after his life. His spiritual energy had been grossly depleted, so he ran for three days and nights to save his life. By the time he got to the juniper tree in today's Bible reading, he was so weak and spiritually drained that he prayed to God to end his life. As soon as he said this prayer, he fell asleep because he had not slept for more than three days. The angel of the Lord came to wake him up to eat, and after eating, he fell asleep again, even though he was aware that Queen Jezebel was still after his life. The angel of the Lord had to wake him up a second time to eat again because he needed strength for the great journey ahead of him. You must also take time out to rest and recharge your spiritual energy if you want to run the race ahead of you successfully. In Genesis 1:1-31, the Bible describes how God created one thing after another. It was a lot of work, but as the account progressed to Genesis 2:2, which is today's memory verse, you will see that God rested. Beloved, you cannot be wiser than God. If God Himself rested after creation, then you must also create time to rest from time to time. Do not finish one demanding task after another without taking time to rest. Many people have overworked themselves to the point of exhaustion, but this is not God's plan for anyone. He wants you to know when and how to take rests so you don't burn yourself out. Beloved, I pray that the Almighty God will shower you with His wisdom so you will know how to preserve your strength, in Jesus' name. Reflection: �Do you rest when you ought to? Bible in Ezekiel 18-20 Hymn 33: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah! Verse 1:�Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,�Pilgrim through this barren land;�I am weak, but Thou art mighty,�Hold me with Thy powerful hand;�Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,�Feed me till I want no more. Verse 2:�Open now the crystal fountain,�Whence the healing stream doth flow;�Let the fire and cloudy pillar�Lead me all my journey through;�Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,�Be Thou still my strength and shield. Verse 3: When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death, and hell's destruction, Land me safe on Canaan's side; Songs of praises, songs of praises, I will ever give to Thee. PRAYER POINTS ON TODAY'S OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL, SATURDAY, 29TH AUGUST, 2026- *DON'T OVERWORK YOURSELF I* ‎ PRAYER POINTS ‎ 1.Father, thank You for giving us the day, to work, and the night, for rest. Thank You for daily renewing my energy. 2.Father, thank You for the journey so far, and for the race ahead of me. Thank You for Your promise to abide with me to the very end. 3.Father, please help me to continually wait on You that my strength will be renewed; help me to run the race ahead of me and not be weary, to walk and never faint, in Jesus' name. 4.Father, please help me never to ignore the need to rest when I ought to, so i can fulfill Your assignment for me on earth, in Jesus' name. 5.Father, please strengthen me when I am weak and help me not to overwork myself so I can finish well and finish strong, in Jesus' name. 6.Father, please help me to be wise enough to create time to rest from time to time. Help me not to rely on my own strength or ability but to trust in Your grace to see me through all my works, in Jesus' name. 7.Father, please help me to know when and how to take rests so I don't burn myself out, in Jesus' name. 8.Father, please shower me with Your wisdom so I will know how to preserve my strength, in Jesus' name. 9.Father, please help all Your children to take adequate rest when they need to, so they can remain relevant in the kingdom assignment and to their families in Jesus' name. 10.Father, as many of Your ministers that are already exhausted and thinking of giving up, please encourage and renew their strength again, in Jesus'name. 11.Father, thank You for the life of Your son, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. ‎ Please grant him grace to remain spiritually refueled, recharged and reloaded for Your use, in Jesus' name. Bless his children (biological and spiritual). Help him to continue to produce sons and daughters to Your glory, in Jesus name ‎ ‎12.Father, please bless Your son that You have been using to prepare these prayer points, with wisdom and favour. Answer all his prayers beyond measure, and all those who have been broadcasting them, in Jesus' name. ‎ ‎13.Father, please let every challenge and temptations, hindrance and obstacles of getting these prayer points across to Your children, timely, and on daily basis be removed, in Jesus name. ‎ ‎14.Your personal petitions. ‎(Philippians 4:6) ‎ ‎15.In Jesus name I pray. ‎(John 14:13-14; 15:16) ‎ #GodBlessOurNation These prayers have no expiry dates! Please, pray them, irrespective of the time they get to you. Remain blessed, in Jesus name.

Dear Father, There’s a part in the life of Queen Esther that we rarely speak about. Before she was appointed as queen, she was scheduled for a time with the king, as were the other ladies, and the Scripture records that, “Whatsoever any of them desired was given to her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.” However, “She required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.” Sincerely, Father, if I had the opportunity to make requests for what I thought would aid my success with the king, I definitely would go with my preferences. But there’s more to this story than preferences. Perhaps, the king’s chamberlain had been with the king long enough to know better than any of them what might increase their chances of success. And I am persuaded that the Bible did not state by chance that “Esther required nothing” if it did not intend to pass a message to us. And today, I pondered the wisdom in sufficiency. Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity with the king can create tension within us, causing us to believe that what we were given is not sufficient. But this story teaches that she was not given less than what was required, to be who she was called to be. If the king’s chamberlain was not mistaken about the king’s preferences, and the other requirement was what she did with what she was given, will You, then, who sees the hearts of men and designed our purposes, be mistaken about what You have entrusted to us? Perhaps lack is not necessarily what prevents us from attaining our crown, but what we believe is sufficient for the journey ahead. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6 : Portuguese #LettertoGod #sufficiency #purpose #provision #Theomniscient

Dear Father, There’s a part in the life of Queen Esther that we rarely speak about. Before she was appointed as queen, she was scheduled for a time with the king, as were the other ladies, and the Scripture records that, “Whatsoever any of them desired was given to her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.” However, “She required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed.” Sincerely, Father, if I had the opportunity to make requests for what I thought would aid my success with the king, I definitely would go with my preferences. But there’s more to this story than preferences. Perhaps, the king’s chamberlain had been with the king long enough to know better than any of them what might increase their chances of success. And I am persuaded that the Bible did not state by chance that “Esther required nothing” if it did not intend to pass a message to us. And today, I pondered the wisdom in sufficiency. Truly, a once in a lifetime opportunity with the king can create tension within us, causing us to believe that what we were given is not sufficient. But this story teaches that she was not given less than what was required, to be who she was called to be. If the king’s chamberlain was not mistaken about the king’s preferences, and the other requirement was what she did with what she was given, will You, then, who sees the hearts of men and designed our purposes, be mistaken about what You have entrusted to us? Perhaps lack is not necessarily what prevents us from attaining our crown, but what we believe is sufficient for the journey ahead. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu #LettertoGod #sufficiency #purpose #provision #Theomniscient

Conflict and Courage. Esther 3 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17. Through Esther the queen the Lord accomplished a mighty deliverance for His people. At a time when it seemed that no power could save them, Esther and the women associated with her, by fasting and prayer and prompt action, met the issue, and brought salvation to their people.42The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1140. The trying experiences that came to God's people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone.... The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God.... The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God's people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath.... Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, men will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a “Thus saith the Scriptures” to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. But those who fear God, cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the Decalogue. On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people.43Prophets and Kings, 605, 606.

Conflict and Courage. Esther 1:1-12 When the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded ... to bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. Esther 1:10, 11. When this command came from the king, Vashti did not carry out his orders, because she knew that wine had been freely used, and that Ahasuerus was under the influence of the intoxicating liquor. For her husband's sake as well as her own, she decided not to leave her position at the head of the women of the court.37The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 3:1139. It was when the king was not himself, when his reason was dethroned by wine-drinking that he sent for the queen, that those present at his feast, men besotted by wine, might gaze on her beauty. She acted in harmony with a pure conscience. Vashti refused to obey the king's command, thinking that when he came to himself, he would commend her course of action. But the king had unwise advisers. They argued it would be a power given to woman that would be to her injury.38Ibid. However high their office, men are amenable to God. The great power exercised by kings, often leads to extremes in exaltation of self. And the worthless vows made to enact laws which disregard the higher laws of God, lead to great injustice. Occasions of indulgence such as are pictured in the first chapter of Esther, do not glorify God. But the Lord accomplishes His will through men who are nevertheless misleading others. If God did not stretch forth His restraining hand, strange presentations would be seen. But God impresses human minds to accomplish His purpose, even though the one used continues to follow wrong practices. And the Lord works out His plans through men who do not acknowledge His lessons of wisdom. In His hand is the heart of every earthly ruler, to turn whithersoever He will, as He turneth the waters of the river.39Ibid.

The 𝐒𝐭. 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐰'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐞 took place beginning on 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟒, 𝟏𝟓𝟕𝟐, in Paris and spreading across France, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 30,000 French Huguenots. The Third War of Religion in France between Roman Catholics and Protestant Huguenots had come to a negotiated end in 1570. Henry III of Navarre and Margaret of Valois were married in Paris on August 18, 1572, and consequently, a large number of leading French Huguenots were in the city for the event. On August 22, while walking home, French Huguenot Admiral Gaspard de Coligny was shot in the street by an unknown assailant who escaped. He was severely injured, but recuperating at home when, at the instigation of Margaret's mother, Queen Catherine de' Medici (mother of King Charles IX), Henry, Duke of Guise and his men finished the job by stabbing Coligny and throwing him out of his window. This led to a widespread, semi-organized wave of violence against French Huguenot leaders and citizens. Bodies were thrown into the River Seine (over 1000 washed ashore in the coming days). Petrus Ramus, the philosopher, was killed in Paris, and Claude Goudimel, the composer who played a major role in the production of the Genevan Psalter, was killed in Lyon. The severed head of Coligny was sent to the Pope (but apparently not delivered), and the Pope rejoiced in the slaughter of the Hugenots, celebrating with a gold medal created for the occasion, and ordering a Te Deum to be sung to God in thanksgiving for the event. When Philip I of Spain heard the news, he "laughed, for almost the only time on record." English playwright Christopher Marlowe wrote a play to tell the story called 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑃𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠 (1593), and the massacre has been retold in many other works of literature since. It was one of the most infamous atrocities ever perpetrated against Christians since the time of the Reformation.