Hello Everyone!
Hope you all are having a great start to the new year. The country seems to be in an uproar as of late, but I’m so thankful for the rest and peace God gives. In the Bible class I teach we have been going through the book of Esther. Esther has always been a favorite of mine to read about in the Bible. I love her courage to stand up for what is right even when it meant possibly losing her life. Wanted to share some thoughts that stood out to me this time around when reading the book of Esther. 1. Deliverance for God’s People Would Come ~ Mordecai tells Esther the fate of her people in Esther 4:7-8. When Esther replies that if anyone approaches the king without being called they could be killed (vs 11), Mordecai reminds Esther that even if she did not stand up for her people that deliverance would still arise from another place. However, this was Esther’s opportunity to stand for the Lord. God had her in the place where she was “for such a time as this”.
2. She Did Her Part ~ Esther was willing to sacrifice physical sustenance to beg God for deliverance. 1 Chron. 7:14. She and her maidens fasted for three days and nights. While doing so she went to the One who controls the heart of the king and prayed for deliverance.
3. God Controlled the King’s Heart ~
Prov. 21:1. I think we as Christians tend to forget this fact told to us in Scripture. We allow fear over “who” is in leadership to control us throughout the day. This in turn keeps us from serving God TODAY! We should not hurry and serve God more “while we freely can” but we should KEEP on serving God as we have been commanded to and already should be. Yes, we should tell others about Christ fervently each day as we see the day of His coming approaching. Why? Because we do not know how much longer our freedoms will be in place? No! Because God commanded us to in Mark 16:15. We are to follow this command to “go” no matter what the circumstances are. God is in control of the king’s heart. We should always trust God as well as do our part with the humbling, fasting and praying! Why do you think the king allowed Esther to approach him when he had not called her? Was it because of Esther’s beauty? I don’t believe so. It is obvious that the king liked beautiful women and so I doubt that he had originally married an ugly one when marrying Vashti. Yet, look how easily he ridded himself of Vashti. What I believe happened here was a direct answer to Esther and the others prayers to God for deliverance! God turned the king’s heart “whithersoever” He willed it. God did His part as promised in His Word and Esther, as well as the others did what they were meant to do at the time, and in the place God had them.
4. God’s Timing is Always Perfect ~ I know this to be true but seeing it spelled out in God’s Word once again was just amazing and encouraging to read! Esther chapter six tells us how the same night that Haman was coming to ask the king for permission to hang Mordecai was the very night that God kept sleep from the king. Then God laid it on the heart of the king to check his record books. Long and behold the king sees that Mordecai was never rewarded for saving his life on a previous occasion. The king then has the court searched to see if anyone is out there...who does he find but Haman! What a coincidence...? No! It was the working of God to bring about His plan in His perfect timing! Not only did God spare the Jews’ lives as a people but also the individual lives of Esther and Mordecai. Even if Esther and Mordecai had not been spared, then God still would have received the glory as His people were standing for Him no matter what. Let us remember to seek the Lord, do His will each day and trust Him for the outcome of our lives in how we bring Him glory! Romans 8:28.
~ Krista Zarn
