From the Bible book of Esther: Esther found that she and her people were in grave peril as some in high governmental places were angry at them and had the wherewithal to destroy them. What did she do? What might Christians today learn from her responses then?
Esther, coming to grips with the severity of the situation, asked those like her (Jews) to petition God fervently, adding an absolute fast to embolden their request. She committed that she and those around her would join in a cry to God for rescue.
She had determined to step before the king uninvited which could mean sure death if the king did not welcome the intrusion. She was willing to lay her life on the line for the cause, but only after three days of crying to God. We in the USA today realize that there are forces moving against the rights of Christians to practice their religion as God charges them.
[Don’t be fooled by “freedom of worship” which says you can gather in your four walls to do your thing but you can’t take it to the street or into the public arena. Take note of what Senator Jerry Nadler said a few days ago: https://rumble.com/ve6xt5-jerry-nadler-to-gop-rep.-reading-bible-gods-will-is-no-concern-of-this-cong.html] It behooves all God’s people to become more actively engaged in calling to God for His mercy and grace.
Come the day, Esther did as she said and stepped into a life and death situation. The king accepted her intrusion and asked of her why she did what she did. She invited the king and his evil friend to a banquet that she had been busy preparing. Thus, while praying she was preparing for a positive answer from her God. We too need to stand up and trust God!
So, the king and his counselor came to the banquet feeling quite honored at such an invite and occasion. There the king asked her what she was wanting. Her response? “Will you come to another banquet tomorrow in which I will tell you of my desire?” The king consented. She was sensitive to the king’s disposition and thus when to state her request.
The next day at the second banquet, the king again asked her of the driver that had sent her to invade his domain, risking her life. She then informed the king that both she and her people were facing death by a governmental decree and the instigator was the king’s friend. The king was furious and left while the friend came to Esther to plead his case, managing to fall upon her just when the king returned. Seeing the “assault”, he ordered the immediate execution of the friend and then asked the queen what would be her wish in light of the irreversible governmental order. She gave it and it was granted. What was a terrible situation threatening the very existence of a people turned out to the great promotion of those very same people. How did such a thing happen? God! Nothing is impossible!
Yes, God, for between the two banquets God moved in answer to the pleas of a people group singled out for destruction. The king couldn’t sleep so he had the record of his past dealings be read to him until slumber could return. In hearing of his history, he was reminded of an event that had saved him from death. Just then, his friend had entered to whom the king sought wisdom on how to honor someone who had blessed him. The friend, thinking the king was talking of him, suggested a great parade to honor such a person. The king concurred and the friend was sent off to honor one of the very people he had managed to get on the elimination list. Again, only God could pull off such a switch!
So, the reading of history brought forth something that needed thought and action. That action proved to be a powerful part of bringing forth a blessing to a people group, a king, and a nation. God orchestrated insomnia and the reading of history that was incredibly applicable so to bring forth good. May history be a rich reminder and guide for us today!
a PK Musing 
Leave a comment