relationships (Esther 4:1-17) Fear and Trust

(Esther 4:1-17)  When Mordecai learned of everything that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city and wailed loudly and bitterly. 2 And he came as far as the king’s gate, for no one was to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth. 3 In each and every province where the command and decree of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and mourning rites; and many had sackcloth and ashes spread out as a bed.

4 Then Esther’s attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her, and the queen was seized by great fear. And she sent garments to clothe Mordecai so that he would remove his sackcloth from him, but he did not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathach from the king’s eunuchs, whom the king had appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this mourning was and why it was happening. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square, in front of the king’s gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, and the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the elimination of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict which had been issued in Susa for their annihilation, so that he might show Esther and inform her, and to order her to go in to the king to implore his favor and plead with him for her people.

9 So Hathach came back and reported Mordecai’s words to Esther. 10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai: 11 “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king in the inner courtyard, who is not summoned, he has only one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days.” 12 And they reported Esther’s words to Mordecai.

13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16 “Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants also will fast in the same way. And then I will go in to the king, which is not in accordance with the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Queen Esther went from being very fearful to finding courage in the Lord.  Her fear was based on a personal feeling because she focused on her own powers - or lack thereof - and realized that she had no control over others or the situation.  Just hearing that her uncle was wearing sackcloth and ashes was enough for her to be "seized by great fear".  And at that point, she still did not know the reason for his actions, just that she knew he could be put to death for publicly displaying a mournful demeanor. 

Esther found courage when she focused on God's power, and realized that God had allowed her to be taken away from her people and given to the king - so that God could use her in a mighty way!  In that moment of turning to the Lord, she felt equipped for the task and was even willing to die.  It is better to make sacrifices for God and His children, than it is to make compromises in one's faith to try to protect one's comfort, because eventually, that plan will backfire.

So many tasks and situations might seem daunting when we just focus on ourselves and our own strength.  Part of trusting in the Lord is focusing on His attributes and His sovereignty.  When we give these tasks and situations to God in prayer - now it is in God's hands!  In a personal relationship with the Lord, we can be confident, because He cares and He is faithful!  And in Him, we can be strong and courageous because with God all things are possible for the one who believes! (Mark 9:23)

(2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)   Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from troublesome and evil people; for not all have the faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

(Romans 8:28)   And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

(Matthew 19:26)  And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”