3rd message on COURAGE, this month's virtue (252 Basics), with focus today on the book of Esther. Big Idea: "Remember God is with you when you speak up for what's right." The people of israel in exile, may have wondered what many ask today: why does God allow evil acts (or tragic "natural" disasters). although the book never mentions God, it clearly assumes that God's providence, though unseen, is no less real. The history of the feast of Purim (casting lots, reference to Haman's method of choosing when to begin his plan to exterminate Mordecai & the Jews) shows that events of this world are far from "random." Rather, God uses Esther (name means "hidden") to step out in the open and speak out to save her people. The book assumes a righteous and loving god, sovereign over all events and people, whose eternal purposes are accomplished in the end. As Jesus told his disciples (Acts 1:7-8) and describes the final defeat of Satan (Rev 12:10-11), God fulfills his purposes through us.