October 24, 2026
Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 21 - Psalm 119:1, 38-40; antiphon: Liturgical Text
Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 25:17-26:19; Matthew 17:1-13
“The whole world is in your power; O Lord, King Almighty, no one can gainsay you. For you have made heaven and earth; you are Lord of all!” (liturgical text)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
“The whole world is in your power; O Lord, King Almighty, no one can gainsay you. For you have made heaven and earth; you are Lord of all!” It says “liturgical text,” but it’s actually from the Apocryphal extension to the book of Esther. If I’ve thoroughly confused you with that sentence, ask your pastor about the Apocrypha! And for now, let’s recall the basic story of Esther to help us unpack this antiphon a bit more. Esther is a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and saves the Israelites from destruction. The plot of Haman is exposed with Mordecai’s help; wicked Haman is overthrown; the Israelites are saved; and that salvation is commemorated with the Old Testament feast of Purim. The book of Esther never mentions the name of God, yet the providence of God is one of its strongest themes.
“The whole world is in your power; O Lord, King Almighty, no one can gainsay you. For you have made heaven and earth; you are Lord of all!” But it doesn’t look that way. Not really. Whether it’s violence and bloodshed, disease and natural disaster, the secret plots of wicked men, conflict between friends and family, or even our own anxieties, doubts, and sorrows, it doesn’t seem like the whole world is in God’s power. Not even close. Is God really in control? How will this story end? Will Esther prevail—or wicked Haman?
It is true that we don’t get many answers to those big “why” questions in the Scriptures. But what we do get are stories of people like Esther that help us see God’s guiding hand at work, bringing about the salvation of His people. What we do get is Jesus, born in the fullness of time (at exactly the right time) to redeem Esther and all mankind from their sins and remove the curse that hangs over all creation. Even when it seems like the name of God goes unmentioned, we rely on the providence of God, on the fullness of time, on the cross of Christ. Even if God’s picture is a LOT bigger than ours and we can’t quite see what comes next, the cross of Christ reminds us Who is in control. And we know how the story ends.
“The whole world is in your power; O Lord, King Almighty, no one can gainsay you. For you have made heaven and earth; you are Lord of all!”
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
What God ordains is always good: His will is just and holy. As He directs my life for me, I follow meek and lowly. My God indeed in every need knows well how He will shield me; To Him, then, I will yield me. (LSB 760:1)
Rev. Roger Mullet, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Buffalo, WY.
Where are you looking for meaning? In Lift Your Eyes: How to Live Outside Yourself author Joshua Pfeiffer charts a compelling path outward: upward to God in faith and gratitude, outward to our neighbors in love and service, and forward in joyful anticipation of resurrection.
