말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Verse]
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 annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar 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.
— Esther 9:21–22

[Our Story]
There’s a book titled Surprised by Joy, written by C.S. Lewis—a former atheist and skeptic. In this book, Lewis recounts his spiritual journey, from leaving Christianity in his youth to eventually returning to faith in Christ. He describes the joy of encountering Jesus like this:

"I don’t know how the final step was taken. I remember very little of the actual moment. When we set out I did not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo I did. And yet I had not exactly spent the journey in thought. Nor in great emotion. Emotional is perhaps the last word we can apply to some of the most important events. It was more like when a man, after a long sleep, still lying motionless in bed, becomes aware that he is now awake."

The joy Lewis speaks of came unexpectedly. It was not something he sought or even anticipated. His years of grappling with unanswered questions—questions that had once made him a hardened atheist—were suddenly overwhelmed by an unannounced encounter with Christ. It happened at an unexpected time, in an unexpected place, through an unexpected means. And from that moment, an unexpected joy began to fill his life.

[Bible Story]
Esther chapters 8–10 depict a celebration bursting with unexpected joy. The Jewish people, once gripped by fear due to Haman’s evil plot, are delivered through the courage of Esther and the wisdom of Mordecai. King Xerxes not only revokes Haman’s deadly edict but also gives Haman’s estate to Esther and elevates Mordecai to a high position of power. Jews throughout the empire are now allowed to gather and defend themselves. In Susa, a great celebration breaks out. The looming shadow of death is lifted, and light shines again for the Jews. What was once terror becomes triumph. It’s an unexpected reversal—a day meant for their destruction becomes a day of deliverance. On that very day, they rise and overcome their enemies. Mourning is turned to joy. Sorrow becomes celebration. And they mark the day as a holiday—Purim. (The word Purim is the plural form of the Hebrew Pur, meaning “lot,” referring to the lot Haman cast to determine the day of the Jews' destruction—see Esther 3:7, 9:24.) Instead, that chosen day becomes a memorial of their survival and joy. Mordecai becomes second only to the king, and those who kept faith in God are honored and filled with joy. This is what God does—He delivers and surprises His people with unexpected joy.

[Your Story]
Do you have joy these days? What kind of joy is it? Have you experienced any unexpected joy—something you didn’t anticipate, yet it filled you with great delight? God desires that we always rejoice. Even in hardship, He wants us to rejoice—trusting in the blessed outcome He will bring through it. When we choose to rejoice first, even in trials, we develop perseverance. That perseverance strengthens us, and that strength gives birth to hope. And when we choose to rejoice first, unexpected joy becomes a regular part of our lives—strong enough to overcome even unexpected suffering.

"We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
— Romans 5:3–4

With joy,
Pastor Hyung Joong Kim
Copyright ⓒ 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim