Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He was the highest-ranking Jew, and he was admired by his numerous relatives. He worked enthusiastically for the good of his people and was an advocate for the welfare of all his descendants.
Esther 10:3
The Book of Esther is far from a fairy tale, but boy, does it read and end like one. Esther, a Jewish maiden, through a series of events that led to the previous queen being ousted, becomes Queen of Persia. She not only became the queen, but God used Esther, “for such a time as this,” to rescue her people from a murderous plot to annihilate them. I have thoroughly enjoyed retracing the details of this story, bit by bit, and have been blessed by the example of Esther’s faith and commitment to God in action. I hope you have too.
I pray you’ve enjoy our time with Esther and Mordecai and seeing the fingerprints of God’s sovereignty in and for the lives of His beloved people. If you have enjoyed it, I invite you to leave a comment. Today’s LGG Journal entry is a wonderful closure for this sessions journey – You won’t want to miss it.
The More We Know
Want to know even more about Esther? Check out this wonder summary by Gotquestions.org
The Lord has worked everything for his own ends— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Proverbs 16:4
I believe this is the first time I’ve read Esther’s story broken up into short segments. However, I must say that I’ve appreciated digesting it like this. It has helped me not only focus on specific actions, words, and reactions, but it has also helped me to visualize God’s sovereignty in micro detail rather than just the bigger picture. Something I noticed and shared yesterday bears repeating today: God’s presence is indisputable.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28
”Romans 8:28 is one of my life verses and perhaps one of the reasons I am, more often than not, aware of and/or looking for God’s fingerprints throughout every day and situation. While I’m not certain this verse correlates with Proverbs 16:4, what I do know is that Esther and Mordecai loved God and were used and/or called, for such a time as this, to fulfill God’s purpose to save His people from Haman’s wicked plot to destroy the Jews. Not only that, but consider Mordecai’s presence at the gate of the King at just the right time to hear the plot to kill the king1 and later the plot to destroy the Jews.2 Consider also the fact that while many captives had returned to their homes,3 Esther and Mordecai were still within the radius of the search for a new queen, and out of all that were brought to the palace, it was Esther who totally captivated the King’s heart and was positioned by God to save His people from annihilation.
I wonder what Esther was feeling as she watched the sunrise on that third day.
“It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace…” – Esther 5:1
This was the day that Esther would either end up a hero or end up dead. If I were in Esther’s place, I’m pretty sure I would have been tempted to crawl back into bed, pull the covers over my head, and desperately pray that God would find some other woman and some other way to save His people. I would ask:
Why me?
Why here?
Why now?
These are questions we often ask God when He calls us to be brave in less-than-ideal situations. Oh, we’re bold in the preparation, but when is it time to take that next step we can easily slink back in fear. We think, “Isn’t there an easier way, Father? Surely there’s someone else who’s more qualified… more available… more – I don’t know – “built” to handle these kinds of things?”
But Esther saved the doubt and the drama and instead responded with: …
How blessed is the one who obeys (fears) the Lord, who takes great delight in keeping his commands.
Psalm 112:1
Have you ever found yourself chasing after the things of the world, believing or even hoping they would bring the happiness/contentment you were looking for? Let me clarify—I’m not necessarily referring to the ‘bad’ things of the world, though that would be a valid question as well. However, let’s just assess the ‘good’ things we might chase after, like family, friends, a dream-sized body, dream jobs, dream homes, even dream churches, or how about the dream ‘happiness’ that everyone else seems to have. I’ll be the first to say that I have, and I’m guessing the largest percentage of those reading this would answer yes.
Being the first to say yes to the question, I certainly haven’t asked it to cast guilt or shame, but rather to offer encouragement to stop and reflect on today’s verse from Psalm 112:1. How blessed is the one who obeys (fears) the Lord,who takes great delight in keeping his commands. This is one of the many verses throughout the Bible that point us to the only true and lasting source of a blessed (contented, happy, joy-filled…) life. Speaking from experience, there is nothing more frustrating and often heartbreaking than chasing after something or someone that we believe will fulfill our joy/happiness, only to find disappointment as the happiness soon disappears or leaves us wanting more. “The truth is, we can never fill the deepest desires of our hearts with the things of this world. Yet, there is a different kind of joy, a lasting joy, that can only be found in the fear of the Lord and delighting in His ways.” As believers, we must realize this truth, teach it well to our children or others around us, and make the necessary changes in our hearts, minds, and lifestyles.
The truth is, we can never fill the deepest desires of our hearts with the things of this world. Yet, there is a different kind of joy, a lasting joy, that can only be found in the fear of the Lord and delighting in His ways.
For Such A Time As This, p67
Because it is vitally important to grasp this truth and let it take root within us, I am sharing portions of today’s journal entry with the hope that you will understand what it is to “fear the Lord,” and the importance of delighting in His commands/ways. When this becomes our lifestyle, happiness may still seem elusive, but we will most assuredly know the blessings and joy of the Lord.
“Psalm 112:1 gives us a beautiful reminder of where true joy and blessing are found – in fearing the Lord and delighting in His ways. To ‘fear’ the Lord means to stand in awe of His greatness and to live with a deep reverence for who He is. When we hold God in His proper place of honor, everything changes. Our hearts begin to delight in His Word. The emptiness of our hearts goes away as He fills that void, and we find the lasting joy we’ve been searching for. This fear of the Lord is not a fear of punishment but a life-changing reverence that brings us closer to Him.”
For Such A Time As This, p67
Friends, like Esther and Mordecai, we are people living in a foreign land. It is a land full of uncertainties, temptations, and demands, and we are warned that though we live in the world, we must not copy the behavior and customs of the world. Instead, as our journey through Esther will reveal about her, we must choose — “to walk in obedience to God and His calling on our lives. “She found her strength and purpose in seeking and honoring Him, and God’s protection followed. In the same way, when we live in awe of God, trusting Him in every situation, we will experience the kind of joy that isn’t dependent on our circumstances.”
True happiness isn’t about what we have or where we are; it’s about who we know — God Himself. When we turn to Him and seek His ways, He fills our lives with a joy that can’t be shaken.
For Such A Time As This, p67
Prayer
Father, while Your name is not on the pages of Esther’s story, Your presence is clearly seen. I see Your protection and Your provision in Esther finding favor with Hegai and being placed in the best quarters and in a place where Mordecai could daily see how she was doing. I see Your wisdom and sovereignty through Mordecai’s instructions that Esther not divulge that she was a Jew. Father, in a world and time when we sometimes can’t see You in our struggles, this passage brings hope and encouragement. It brings instruction and admonishment to live as people who fear/obey You and take delight in keeping Your commands. Help us to remember that happiness isn’t about what we have or where we are, but about knowing You. Let us keep our eyes on You and faithfully follow Your ways – that we might know the blessings of Your joy and peace and not be shaken. – In the name of Jesus – Amen.
Father, You are good 💜 You heard my simple but heartfelt prayer for uninterrupted sleep and You gave it. Even when I stirred in the early morning hours You lulled me back to sleep – and I praise You! In Your great and mysterious sovereignty – the Scripture reading this morning was from Psalm 116, which says: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” Yes, in the night You gave me the restful sleep I desperately sought – but the greater gift of Your goodness, as the Psalmist goes on to describe is this –
You have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling that I may walk before You in the land of the living -Psalm 116: 8-9
And as the Psalmist – “I trusted in You when I said, many times over, I am greatly afflicted,” and so also I say with him – “What shall I return to the LORD for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on Your name – O LORD.”
Your praise and goodness will continually be in my heart and on my tongue. My lips will glorify Your great name forever and forever – Amen!
Me From the Inside Out 