https://dailymanna.app/ *DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY* *SUNDAY 16TH MARCH, 2025* *WHEN TO SAY NO* *TEXT: ESTHER 1:10-12* *KEY VERSE:* *_"But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him"_* *(ESTHER 1:12).* Stonewall Jackson was a Lieutenant General in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was influential in most critical military operations. However, unlike most other officers, he was reputed for his abstinence from alcohol. On one occasion, after a long trip, drenched in rain and shivering in the cold, an officer offered him a drink, but he refused. The officer insisted, but Jackson replied, "No, Sir, I cannot do it. I tell you, I am more afraid of King Alcohol than of all the bullets of the enemy." Saying 'NO' to alcohol is the best safeguard against intoxication and regrettable actions. In contrast to Jackson's noble stand, today's text portrays King Ahasuerus acting under the influence of alcohol. On the last day of his public exhibition and feast, the intoxicated king sent for his choice queen, Vashti, to come and display her beauty before the drunken crowd. To her credit, Queen Vashti refused to honour the king's command, thereby incurring his wrath. It was bad enough that the king became tipsy and made an inconsiderate demand from his queen; he became angry when rebuffed. The king did not know how to say 'no' to wine, a substance that impaired his reason and judgment, but the queen knew enough to refuse a command that would place her in the wrong company or cause her to misbehave. The Scripture says, "...it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted" (Proverbs 31:4, 5). Intemperance and anger have destroyed many lives and wrecked the careers of many people. You can resolve to never be included in this list of casualties. Beyond keeping away from strong drinks, we must say NO to anything and anyone that causes us to do wrong and violate our conscience. Even our obedience to human authorities should not be at the cost of disobeying God's law. It is time to say 'NO' when human laws contradict God's command or at the suggestion of anything that would place us in a questionable circumstance. *THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* *_Saying "NO" is not always a negative idea._* *THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: NUMBERS 26-28* *HYMN* *STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS* 1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus ye soldiers of the cross; lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From vict'ry unto vict'ry his army he shall lead till ev'ry foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed. 2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; forth to the mighty conflict in this his glorious day. Ye that are men now serve him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger and strength to strength opposed 3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer; where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there. 4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next, the victor's song. To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of glory shall reign eternally.