Such a Time as This

The story of Esther is powerful.  Whenever I question the power of fasting and prayer, or my purpose, I turn to Esther to be reminded of the power of our awesome God.

Esther is a beautiful young lady, adopted and raised by her cousin, Mordecai.  

King Xerxes issued a decree to search for a beautiful virgin to become his new queen.   Esther was taken to the king’s palace, instructed by Mordecai not to let anyone know that she was a Jew.

As the story goes, “The king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins.  So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen.” (Esther 2:17)

This is the part of the story where we want to sigh, imagine how romantic that moment must have been, and assume that the King and Queen lived happily ever after.  However, Walt Disney is not the creator of the story of Esther, so let’s enter back into the true purpose of Esther’s favor and reign as Queen.

The king’s highest ranking noble, Haman, was enraged because Mordecai refused to kneel down and pay him honor.  Haman convinced the king to issue a decree to kill all Jews.  

Mordecai sent word to have Esther approach the king to “beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.” (Esther 4:8)  However, unless a person was summoned by the king to approach him, he or she would be put to death.  Esther feared for her life.  

Mordecai said something that made Esther remember who she really was, “And who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14) Esther realized that her life was not her own.  However, she also understood the power of prayer and fasting.  

With great courage, Esther sent word to Mordecai saying, “Go, gather together all the Jews and fast for me.  Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day.  I and my maids will fast as you do.  When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law.  And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)

Desperate people are hungry for God and hungry people are desperate.  Esther realized that the life or death of an entire nation rested on her shoulders.  

Fasting opens us up to receive all that God has for us.  He is longing to reveal Himself to us when we surrender our lives to Him, desperate and hungry.  Perhaps we are alive for such a time as this.  Perhaps the life or death of our nation rests on our shoulders as well.  

Stay the Course...

Sheila Cote'

Today’s Prayer:  “Father, thank You for giving us the story of Esther, a woman of courage.  Just like Esther, we know that our lives are not our own.  As we fast and seek You, would You please reveal Yourself to us today?  Show us the purpose that You have created us.  We ask for courage to say “yes” to whatever You ask.  We trust You.  We are desperate and hungry for Your will to be done.  In Jesus name we pray, amen.”