Two-minute read.
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 4:16
Brave petition.
Esther comes to a pivotal historical moment through extraordinary circumstances: will she risk her life for her people?
Born a young Jewish girl, King Xerxes chose her as his wife from a plethora of young women. Also known as King Ahasuerus, historians debate the truth of the tale. Biblical history records Esther as niece to Mordecai, Queen of Persia, and heroine to her country. When Haman, principal minister to the king, orders a decree to kill all the Jews, Mordecai begs Esther to intervene.
Esther had a problem. The king hadn’t called her to him in quite some time. You could only enter the king’s presence when he summoned. If you went to the king without an invitation, and he didn’t hold out his golden scepter, inviting you to speak, you would die at the hands of his soldiers. A woman of wisdom, Esther sought help from the Lord, fasting and praying, asking the people to do the same.
At the end of the three days, the queen approached the King, and he held out his scepter to her. When Xerxes asked Esther what she wanted, the queen invited him to dinner. The king has an interesting dream that leads to a life change for Mordecai. Eventually, Haman’s plan gets exposed. And Esther saves the Jewish nation.
Esther shows us what to do when life gets tough: seek God.
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
If Esther didn’t take this chance, she knew God would still save the Jews, but her family would perish. When the Lord calls, we must answer quickly. Wherever God takes You, He’ll provide the way. But if we don’t go, we can’t blame the Lord; He gives us free will. We have a choice of who to follow. Esther chose wisely, and so can we. Just follow the Lord; He’ll do the rest.
Journal Questions:
- How can I apply today’s devotion to my life?
- How has God put you in a unique position to serve Him?
- What door do you want God to open for you?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us Esther as an example of how to handle difficult situations. As we fast and pray, strengthen us for the divine task You have for us. Open the door for victory as we submit our lives to You. Let us face our challenges like Esther, with You leading the way. IJNIP. Amen
