Esther 9:16-19. After Queen Esther alerts her husband the king to his servant Hamea's plot to kill the Jews and pleads for them, the king delivers an edict to stop the plan. The Jews then rise up in defense against Haman's men and they kill those who were about to slaughter them, "but they laid no hands on the plunder." In each town, the day after the battle, which was in most cases the 14th day of Adar, they set aside as a day of rest and celebration. "Therefore, the Jews of the villages... hold the 14th day of the month of Adar as a day for gladness and feasting and holiday-making."

We have been in a battle against our enemies for some time. I am very ready for the decisive battle, the rising up, the day when the king declares that we can fight in the open. That day is not here yet, and I know that it won't be until all of the faithful realize that there is a battle to be fought. He needs us all, but some of us are still not seeing the danger.

I am very much looking forward to the day after that battle, when we can feast and celebrate, when we will be reunited with those who have separated themselves from us. It will be a day like no other!