Women of Faith: Esther

Virtuous and fair, royal and gracious

Today's Memory Verse

“Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” ~ Esther 4:14

To finish our very first series I decided to highlight one of my all-time favorite women of faith who not only reigned over a nation as their queen, but also used her platform to save an entire nation of God’s chosen people. If you focus only on the big picture aspects of her story, Esther’s seems to be a confident, unshakeable individual who by a stroke of luck became the ruler of Persia and was able to lead the oppressed to a mighty victory. But we know better; we know that the God of love works all things together for the good of those who are called according to HIs purpose (Romans 8:28). We know that the true King of Kings doesn’t play by the rules of coincidence - He has a plan for each of us that remains beyond our wildest imagination and He continues to execute that plan regardless of the situations we may encounter.

The Rundown

Esther is quite unique in that there is not a single mention of God in the entire book. His voice is not explicitly stated in it’s verses, no miracles performed nor covenants made...but His presence is felt in the provisions and protection lavished upon those who choose to follow Him. After the reigning queen is deposed for refusing to obey direct orders, all of the eligible women in Persia are taken before King Xerxes and he is given the chance to select one of them as his new bride. Here we see the first inclination of God’s divine handiwork. He took an ordinary girl, born of a Jewish identity she was told to keep secret by the uncle who adopted her, and placed her in the highest position of power her country afforded to women. The plot thickens as a disgruntled palace employee decides to exact revenge on all the Jews in the empire...meaning he plans to kill Esther’s entire family as well as herself should he find out her true identity. God’s silent handiwork example #2: Esther is in the perfect place of power to request a dinner with the king and ask that the law against her people be overturned and their lives spared. The story wraps up quite nicely with the Jews defeating their enemies, Xerxes bestowing great wealth and property upon Esther, and Mordecai (Esther’s courageous and clever uncle) taking his rightful place as prime minister and advocate for the good of his people.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” ~ Matthew 5:5-7

Such a Time as This

I used Esther 4:14 as Today’s Memory Verse because it’s one of my favorite pieces of scripture in the entire Bible. This simple sentence encapsulates what I think is one of the biggest and most prominent themes of God’s holy word: we are made for a purpose. No matter what season we’re in, who we’re around, or which direction we feel our lives should be heading in, we are created for each and every moment He so graciously gives us. When she accepted the position as queen Esther couldn’t possibly have imagined all of the things this job would require of her. In an instant she went from living a simple and humble existence to bearing the burden of an entire nation at risk of persecution and death. She was completely out of her league, answering an impossible call from the Lord yet still He brought her through to victory on the other side. He blessed the meek, filled those who were hungry for righteousness, and showed mercy to those who were merciful.

The point of Esther’s story is to remind us to see Jesus in every moment. When a burdened friend needs comfort and solace, when the doctor delivers unexpected and scary health news, when the church needs someone to serve in a leadership capacity - you have been created for such a time as this. The Father knows no coincidence or happenstance; He has detailed every second of your perfect plan and has promised to walk you through the fire to an ultimate and eternal victory. Even when we don’t see it, even when we don’t feel it, and even when it seems like God has abandoned ship and forgotten His children...He is working. The way-maker and miracle-worker is always moving in our midst, providing and protecting, mending hearts and lighting the darkness.

XOXO,

B

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Prayer

I pray that you feel God moving in your midst today - that you see His handiwork in the exact moment you find yourself in. Know that you are blessed and highly favored; called for a purpose that goes beyond the pain and suffering this world may often bring. I encourage you to take pride in His perfect plan specific to you and release the anxiety that comes with comparing your life to that of others. You were fearfully and wonderfully made by a Creator who has big plans for your life...even if you can't see them yet. May God bless you and keep you, and may you find peace in the hope of His promises. Amen.

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