Queen Esther: Lesson Four

When bad news comes, turn to God with all your heart.

When Mordecai heard what was done, he put on sackcloth and ashes and cried with a loud and bitter cry.

Esther 4:1 (KJV): When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

In every province the Jews mourned, fasted, wept, and wailed.

Esther 4:3 (KJV): And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

God still calls His people to turn to Him with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Joel 2:12 (KJV): Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: