In Esther 4, we see the response of Mordecai and all of the other Jews throughout the kingdom. They have just heard that they will be utterly annihilated in a few days by order of the king. Their response was prayer--fasting, weeping, sackcloth and ashes (v.1, v.3). Mordecai, took his sackcloth and went to the driveway of the king. He sat outside the gate and there he mourned.
(It is interesting to me that he went to the king's gate. The king had put out an order to exterminate him. Why not...the Bahamas? Many times, when we are faced with intense opposition, we choose a different path. Rarely do we walk up to the problem and begin to mourn and cry out to God in front of it.)
Esther hears of what is going on. She sends a messenger to Mordecai to get the scoop. Mordecai tells her about the edict and then tells her to go into the king's court and plead the case. She sends back a message and reminds him that if the king does not call for her, she could be sentenced to death for just showing up. Mordecai reminds her of a great truth that applies to us...even today, in v.13-14.
One cannot run from trouble. You cannot ignore your situation or past in hopes that it will go away. If trouble is coming...you either live daily in fear of being found by it...or you address it. He reminded her that perhaps all that she had gone through was to provide her with the opportunity to do something great on God's behalf. To do so, she would have to come clean about who she was (her past) and risk all she had (her royalty and her comforts that go with it.)
v.15-17 detail how she now called for Mordecai to ask for a fast for her. "Pray for me, because I will do it." She knew that the task was bigger than her...but with God's help...she would be willing to do it.
It is important to note in closing: she was not sure of the outcome...only her response. It was clear to her what she had to do. It might cost her life. It might not make a difference to the plight of the Jews. She only knew that at this point in time...she must act. And...she did. This is character. We are not responsible for outcomes, only for our actions in the present. She would do as she ought...and let God do as He wished.
Proverbs 1:10 is my takeaway. "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent." It sounds like a simple statement....and the reason for that is-- it is. When tempted to sin, don't. Never compromise on God's Word. There will always be situations which draw on you to leave God's counsel and purpose and pursue self-sufficiency. Don't do it. Reject it. The end is destruction.
Grace,
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2 comments:
My prayer this morning was to be an Esther. She amazes me, she is so strong in the Lord. She, of course was scared but instead of saying no she fasted and prayed and asked all the Jews to do the same. This shows me how important it is to God for us to share our prayers to each other and of the importance of having a prayer partner. She wanted to make sure God would show her the way. She had a lot of paitence, I think of myself and am not sure I would have been able to wait for three days while my family was mourning. But she did... I can not wait til tomorrow so that I can see her amazing faith and strength. :)
We must be ready for the trouble and while we cannot avoid it, we sometimes must wait on God's time to deal with it.
Character is something Christians must build as we learn to walk as Christ did or as it is popularly known "walk the talk". Becoming more Christ-like in our character allows us to move more assuredly and be willing to do our duty before God. Esther spoke in fear and Mordecai reminded her that she could not escape and may fail in her duty before God. Esther then asks the Jews to fast and pray for her, that she might succeed.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
This is also simple and how much of it I have seen recently in my travels on the web.
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