Esther 

 

PART THREE – WOMEN OF THE BIBLE:

THE MOMENTS GOD HAS FOR YOU

We all have moments when God uses us for something specific. These moments are unique to us and to the lives that God has planned for us. I am a mother, and many of you reading this are also mothers; however, each of us is uniquely created for each of our kids. It took me a long time to absorb that because I doubted my worth and capabilities as a mom. I bet you do as well, sometimes! When we fail (and as moms, we fail every day), the lies creep in that we are not worthy of parenting the children we are given. It’s hard to ignore these lies, sometimes. Believe me.   

The beauty of God calling us is that He knows what we need before we do, and He knows what we can do before we realize it. None of us received a manual when we found out we were pregnant! Yet the instructions and support are all around us. When I took that first pregnancy test more than 25 years ago, my husband and I, without knowing it, had the “manual” all around us: in people, His Word and a variety of books.  Some of you might remember this one, What to Expect When You Are Expecting– a bit of a classic! I wonder if I have it somewhere with all of my notes?!

Books are great, but we also had a network of friends and family surrounding us that was life-giving, Providing us insights in ways that books could not. We learn as we go, we fall, and then we get back up. This process is best done with others, not alone! Each child has a unique personality and differing needs. Yet, at the same time, I did not change the Word of God to suit them; it is for all of us, no matter what age or stage we’re at! Structure, routine, curriculum, activities, and clothing can and do change with each child. Family rules to keep the home running peacefully and orderly are important for consistency and security, but they are not put in place with a legalistic bent. Honestly, it is all grace-based and stems from Christ’s love.  

How does all of this relate to Esther? She had a moment (in fact, many moments) when God called her to a specific role at a determined time. She had no say in entering the palace; she did, however, listen to the words of her cousin Mordecai and lived her moments and days with wisdom. She honoured God despite the looming threat of the annihilation of the Jewish people, which could have easily paralyzed her into inaction. Think of all the innocent lives spared because of wisdom, fortitude, fasting, prayer and intentionality.  

We, too, have been called, “For such a time as this” (4:14), right where you are, right now. Whether changing diapers, in the carpool line, teaching your teen to drive, preparing for a wedding or graduation, homeschooling or working full or part-time while raising your family, you have worth and purpose. You are deeply loved by a good and loving God! 

Esther did not know what would come when she entered the king’s palace to prepare for one year to see the king with the potential of being the next queen, “And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti. This pleased the king, and he did so.” (Esther 2:4) 

With Queen Vashti banished—a cruel and undeserving punishment—the king was “Merry with wine”  (1:10). When she refused to come before him and the others, which would have been mortifying, the role was open, and women were brought into the palace.  Esther won, “Grace and favor in his [the king’s] sight…he set the royal crown on her head.” (2: 17),

 15 When the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her. 16 And when Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, 17 the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown  on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity. (2:15-18) 

Throughout the book of Esther, God is not mentioned, yet God is at work! It’s just like the incredible song “Way Maker” (Version by Leeland). God is working when we can’t see it and has a plan, even if we don’t know what that plan currently looks like. So, we, like Esther, can be faithful to where we are, who we are with, and what God is calling us to do daily. (Great interview with Leeland and Casey Episode 335 on the Why Me Project Podcast!)

We may not be in line to be a queen to save our people, but we can be faithful and learn from Esther that listening with the intent to make wise decisions is an absolute must, even when we don’t know the outcome. 

Dare I say your home is your ‘palace’?! Unlike King Xerxes, you have a loving King of Kings and Lord of Lords who loves you! Esther had a loyal cousin, and together, they revealed the evil Haman’s schemes to delete the Jewish people from existence. Who is your ‘loyal cousin’ – your community that loves and leads you? How have you taken a leap of faith and joined in with others in the pursuit of raising a family with Christ at the centre? It is difficult to walk into a new church, yet know that God will not lead you astray even if people do. He will go before you, and as Psalm 139 says, “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.” (vv.5-6) 

Why not take time now to listen to or read through the book of Esther, and, once done, take time to reflect on your sphere of influence, and how God is calling you to be faithful in the moments that God has designed just for you? I love that God is so kind and relational that He cares and loves us with an everlasting, never-ending love, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3) 

 

Romans 8:31-37 provides a truth you can lean into now! 

God’s Everlasting Love 

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, 

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 

 

One response to “Esther – Part Three Women in the Bible: The Moments God has for you  ”

1. A wonderful take on Esther applicable to us now. God made a way for her. He’s making a way for us, me, you. Can’t see down the road….🙏🏻💟

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