Queen Esther was a Jew who was made the queen of Persia during a time when Jews were under threat of being destroyed by the Agagites.
Esther 3:8-11
New International Version (NIV)
8 Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents[a] of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.”
10 So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. 11 “Keep the money,” the king said to Haman, “and do with the people as you please.”
What amazes me about Esther is that she not only saved a nation, she thrived despite her obvious handicaps.
Esther 2:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.
She was an orphan.
She was a woman living in a man’s world.
She was a foreigner.
She was beautiful.
Yes, sometimes being beautiful can be a handicap. If a person of physical beauty has a character that is not cultivated, beauty can actually be a hindrance. Just look at many of the male and female models, and actors and actresses of today. I believe that their beauty has actually been a set-back in many ways – it distracts from what they should really be focused on – our Creator.
But Esther did not overcome her circumstances because she was beautiful. Esther did something that many of us would struggle to do given her same circumstances, Esther trusted God. A very important thing we should learn from Esther – she got things right with God before she made a major move in her life and in her marriage.
She prayed.
She fasted.
She humbled herself before God.
And she was willing to perish for His purpose.
She was willing to lay it all on the line.
Esther 4:15-17
New International Version (NIV)
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants 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.”
17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
I encourage you… If you are struggling in your marriage, or if the enemy is hanging around just outside your door waiting to destroy you; follow in the footsteps of Esther. Trust God.
Pray
Fast
Have others join you
Humble yourself before God
And watch Him manifest Himself in your presence.
I pray His restoring, healing, and saving power over you in your time of need.
In His Grip,
Monica
Monica is a stay-at-home mother of two who writes on biblical encouragement, how to have fun with your preschooler, wisdom for marriage, and what God is doing in her family’s lives at: http://happyandblessedhome.blogspot.com/
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