Courage

Esther 5:1-8

Courage

Last week, we read about Mordecai and Esther finding out about the plan to exterminate the Jews. They discuss between themselves what needs to be done. And it is finally decided upon that Esther must approach the King and plead for mercy.

But before she does that she tells Mordecai to gather the Jews in the area and fast for 3 days and she and her servants will do the same. Fasting is a way of showing a grieved heart and soul. It is a way of becoming closer with God.

During a fast you block out worldly things and focus on God. Today most people only fast for medical reasons and even then it seems like such a sacrifice. But here we see all of the Jews fasting for 3 days to get in tune with God.

Then comes the action. After the third day of the fast, Esther gets dressed up real nice and pretty, goes to the King’s inner court and waits. She waits for the King to notice her. And sure enough, the King does notice her. And he extends his royal scepter to her, meaning he welcomed her presence.

As we have seen with the king so far, he doesn’t really pay much attention to what is going on. Remember, his first wife refused to come to him so he got rid of her because that is what his advisors said. And he signed the decree to kill the Jews because that is what Hayman said to do.

So the king isn’t one to really think for himself. But here he sees his beautiful wife and notice what the New American Standard text says in verse 3, “Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request?”

Amazingly the king actually had a thought of his own. He recognized something was bothering his wife and he was genuinely concerned for her.

Esther requests the presence of the King and his right hand man Hayman at a special banquet she has prepared for them.

Esther believed God’s hand was at work in this situation. How do I know that? Because she had the courage to approach the King. A man that could have you killed. Not only that, but she invited the guy who wanted to kill her and her people.

But Esther believed, she had faith. She knew the King would come, she had everything prepared for the King. What an example of faith, confidence, and dedication.

Esther had a plan. No doubt during the fast the plan came together as she followed God’s lead. She had a plan. Make the king notice her, so she doesn’t get killed. Get the king interested in her, so she can please the king. And then get the king to come back for more, so she can accomplish her goal of saving her people.

Esther was indeed prepared and had a plan, but she still trusted in God to strengthen her and see this plan through.

Often times, we too have plans. But do we leave God out of those plans. Or do we consult with God to see what he wants us to do?

It takes courage to live as a Christian in this world today. Sometimes I suspect our plans would go real well with what God wants. Sometimes our plans are not God’s. Sometimes we go places where we really wouldn’t want God to go.

But you know what. God is there. If we are true Christians then we have the Spirit of God living inside of us and wherever we go, we take God with us. So as you make plans, check in with God to see if that is where He wants to go.

It takes courage, because sometimes you will have to say no to your friends or family members. And sometimes you will have to say yes to God and go somewhere or do something that you don’t really want to do on an earthly level, but it is what He wants.

So we need courage and we can only get that courage through God. One author wrote, “Courage is the power to do well when the air is turbulent and the going gets tough. It is having the character to do well when things are tempting, when things are painful.”

It is easy to be a parent when your child is an A+ honor student, but it takes a lot of courage when your child gets mixed up in the wrong crowd and is harming themselves or others.

“Courage is the power to do well in the face of a threat – to your life, to your security, to your future, to the things you hold dear.”

Esther had faith and courage. And God honored that. Everything went as planned for her. She stepped up and did what was right and God honored that. His hand was upon her.

Think about what is keeping you from living courageously? Is it worldly pressures or possessions? Is it lack of strength and faith?

Whatever it is, take it to God. Ask him to strengthen you; to increase your faith, to increase your courage to see you through your difficult situation. And He will do it.

Closing Prayer

Lord, we thank You for the strength and courage that you have given each one of us. On the outside we may appear calm and collected, but you know our insides as well. You know our thoughts, our anxieties, and our fears.

Help us with those things that we are afraid of. It is something different for each of us. Maybe we are afraid of being jobless, of being sick, of being alone, or of pain in our aging years.

We offer these fears to you and ask you who knows no fear to give us courage to face our challenges and do what it is that you want us to do.

AMEN