Her Heart raced fast as she stood at the large strong, solid doors of the grand Palace. She closed her eyes thinking of the consequences she will face if the King disfavors her bold approach. She knew this might be her last moments to live. She was at stake. Her people were at stake. She still couldn't believe that the King, her husband, has fallen for this wicked scheme by his most favored chief minister, about an ordered to annihilate her people.
In spite of her Queenly position, she couldn't stop this wicked planned degree. Her position did not matter and it was a custom not allowed to share with her husband about the laws made and unmade. This was the law signed by the king himself, with His signet ring and this cannot be reversed.
Standing there did not make her feel brave at all to approach His Royal Highness without Her being called by Him into His presence.
In spite of her fear, she decided to fast and pray for 3 days before approaching the King, her whole people, the jewish nation, and her servant maids did the same. Her cousin's words gave her renewed strength to make such a drastic and life threatening decision.
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:14
With boldness and courage she stood in front of the closed Solid doors. As it opened, every eyes were watching with dread as she slowly and elegantly moved down the path to reach the throne. Praying every step she took that the Lord would grant her favor and spare her life, as well as, the life of her people.
Once near the King, she looked down and bowed, she did not dare to meet His gaze. He rose from His grand throne, every breath stilled, no moments rose from the courts, the guards took their positions, prepared, anytime to march, and take the queen for execution, time ticked and dragged slowly, it felt as if centuries have passed. The King's face showed no emotion, nothing seemed to move. Everything was still and stiff. Death seemed to hang in the air.
Until, He lifted His royal kingly arrayed right hand, and stretched out His Majestic, the most dreaded Scepter which makes the choice to live or die.
The Queen rose from her position with relief but with a nervous edge. She was very glad, her stomach fluttered with butterflies, she anticipated this moment with great fear and trembling that the King favored and delighted to choose her to raise his majestic scepter.
She knew this was the answer to prayers and fasting from the past three days, by all over her community, her people, her people who was called by name, by the one true King, who created this whole wide universe.
After this, thing approached very quickly, the beautiful Queen, invited and presented two Banquets for each night for the King and His wicked chief minister, Haman, the Queen's and her people's enemy.
Soon enough the plot to plan her people's death was revealed to the king on the second day of her wonderful banquet as they were feasting, Suddenly, Haman, caught off guard, trembled and death was pronounced over him by the king too soon. He was hanged on His own gallows that he built for, Mordecai, the Queen's cousin.
(This whole event of this incident is found in the book of Esther in the Bible which you can read)
In the end, the people of God got rescued because of the Queen's bold step of Faith and Courage to stand fearless for the one true king of this universe.
Her story interests me. Its interesting that a woman of her status and wealth would go down to the extend to give up her crown, glory, money, all the Kingdom's pleasures, entertainments and comforts for a nation, her nation, the Jews, the chosen people of God. It don't make sense? Why would a woman in her position of such comfort do such a thing?
It is absurd to throw away such High pleasure filled Kingdom, for the Jews. She could have cared less, and relaxed and sat down and watched the terrible day of all the Jews killed, and maybe mourn for it for a few months and then she could have moved on.
Instead she chose to stand up for her people for such a time as this.
Queen Esther knew her calling. She knew that this earthly pleasures and its passions would soon fade away. She knew her God, the one true God who created her for such a time as this. She stood rooted to her purpose of her position. She took action with Faith. She fasted and prayed because she had confidence in Her God that He would not let her, and her people die in the hand's of their enemy. Her Hope rested in the Lord's hands, who created this amazing universe, who spoke words of life and comfort to those who are brokenhearted. She knew who her God was.
Even though the Queen lived dual lives where she held a secular positions of respect and honor, she did not let her heart or her eyes wander into the surrounding culture and its wicked lustful ways. Her heart from the beginning was never set with the hopes of investing in this temporary world. When scary thing such as what she endured came by and which had consequences, she stood strong holding onto hope and faith in her God.
Esther's decision mattered. It was life-threatening to approach her Husband, the King. She made a choice to choose the Lord God. She made God-honoring sacrifice and choice. Her choice took her through a path of risking her own life to save her people. She had a position of honor, when these positions required her to chose between her God and worldly pleasures, she intentionally took the bold step of Faith to go through the pitiful and foolish experience of fasting and praying, which the world thinks, eventually got her to approach the king. She took a leap of Faith committing herself and everything about her into her one true God's Mighty arms of care, comfort, healing, peace, joy and protection. His arms were never too short to rescue. His everlasting love always filled her up with renewed hope.
Most likely, her most trusted servants must have advised her that this decision is fatal. Even though her approach to such deadly situation was foolish. Those three days of fast and prayer strengthed her. It must have been an agonizing three days of her life. The most dreaded 3 days of fasting and prayer. She battled her fears in prayer to the most high for delivering her people. She knew she was helpless. Doubts haunted her with thoughts that this might not have been a great idea.
She cried with much brokenness and endured her pain to the one true King. She pleaded the lives of her family and her people. She agonized in much pain as the hours ticked to the day, as she stood in front of the earthly King, praying that his dreaded scepter to be lifted in her favor. This was not an easy task to endure for a young girl nor a Queen of her status.
Sometimes in life we might feel like Queen Esther, as if the whole nations weight is put on us, but even those times, take heart dear friend, God is watching over you. He will not allow your foot to slip just like that. He is gentle and patience. Yes, He is kind and righteous. His approach to prune you through will be gentle and bearable. He would take utter care to heal you through any process of pain, hurt and rejection. He loves you and cares very deeply for you. He is always waiting for you to come talk to Him so make that intimate time to enjoy such wonderful relationship with the Lord. :)
Question to ponder:
Is it worth to throw away all the luxuries of this world and putting our hope in the one true king?
What are some things that is keeping you from putting complete hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it beauty, money, fame, hidden sins, dark secret sinful thoughts, career, college, marriage, reputation, kids, broken relationships, selfish ambitions?
What would you do in Queen Esther's position? How do you feel when put in such circumstances?
These are some questions for you to think about and see what juncture in life you are at. Ask yourself, what decisions you can make as you keep the Lord as the center of all your situations?
When you prayerfully approach, ask and answer sincerely, God will make ways to provide and rescue you from such drastic circumstances. I would encourage you to Continue seeking and trusting the Lord. Don't lose Hope. Be strong and courageous in the Lord, dear sweet friend. His eyes are on you. You are precious and value. Just talk to Him, He will carry all your burdens, and shower you with His grace and truth.
Here is a gentle reminder - Chose wisely today:
The day of the Lord is fast approaching, dear friend, here is a question for us to think about, -- are we able to put away the passions we may have built up in this temporary home, this world? and are we striving continually putting our complete Hope and Faith in the one who has the keys to everlasting life, the kingdom of God? I hope and pray we chose the latter. Also remember, God’s blessings is greater than our troubles. Always. His goodness will shine through. It’s just the way He works. Amen.
Let's pray, shall we?
Dear Lord God,
Thank you for this day. I am glad you are with me to listen. Bless me to live by the spirit and look towards the treasures that you are preparing for me. I pray that you help me to tear down any idols that I posses of this world. I pray, you help me to be willing to pray, fast, and wait for your directions, and then act on the wisdom you provide. Help me to put my hope and trust in you alone my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray that this world's passions won't come anywhere near me to distract me from you. I pray for strength and grace so that I can focus on you and run this race with endurance. I pray all this sincerely, in Jesus name, Amen.
Bible Verse of the Day:
"If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." - 1 Corinthians 15:19-22
I pray this message has blessed you. I pray you keep focusing your eyes on what the Lord has in store for you and not be distracted by the pull of this worldly pleasures. Make wise decisions that honors the Lord today. So with that I wrap this session, Enjoy and God bless. :)
Devotional by: Team I Love Psalms
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