When I was a little girl, I remember looking in adoration to singers, actors, and beautiful faces of the world. I really wish I would have known about Esther. Her story makes me proud to be a woman of God.
Though God isn’t mentioned even once by name in the book of Esther, there is no doubt He was working through and for her. His purpose in her life was to save the Jews. Can you even imagine? Esther was a beautiful, real woman with real challenges. Beginning very early in her life she knew what it was to endure struggle. She was an orphan, and no matter how well she was taken care of since the passing of her parents, we all know that great pain accompanies great loss, and I’m more than certain Esther knew grief intimately. Because of this, we can immediately connect to who she was. Her early story is one of authenticity, and her circumstances prove tangible for many of us.
What’s interesting to me is that Esther was the first woman to compete for a “rose.” The television series The Bachelor has nothing on what her reality portrayed! If you don’t know her story, I highly recommend reading it all in one sitting. It’s only ten small chapters, and I think you’ll be moved at not only her courage, but God’s faithful provision.
Isn’t it awesome how His glory shines even when His name goes unmentioned?!?!
The reason I’m thinking so much about Esther today is because of the Jewish celebration of Purim, which is all about celebrating deliverance for God’s people through Esther.
We serve a God of deliverance. Do you need reminded of that today? I often need a reminder.
God did miraculous and amazing things through the life of Esther and, friend, God can and will do amazing and miraculous things through your life! Last week I wrote about miracles through the hands of Paul, and the same rule applies in the story of Esther. NOTHING is impossible with God!
I want you to know that your life matters, you have purpose, and there is a plan for you that is tailored specifically. IT IS GOOD! Why? Because we serve a good God! The plan might not always seem good. In fact, it might be completely unrecognizable, but your life is for such a time as this! However, there is something you must know: the plan requires a faith journey. It is about learning to trust Him, and sometimes the landscape of that journey is rough! But it’s still good!
Today, as I bear in mind the story of Esther, I want to take a moment to remind us of all God is working in our lives. He’s doing it for such a time as this! All He does leads us to the cross. Our faith journey consists of the cross front and center. It’s a bridge from this world to the world which is to come. We are marching onward toward the calling of Christ, washed in His blood, with the beauty of the Holy Spirit. By the way, the Holy spirit serves as the Guide leading us on the path. We are not alone.
Take hold of this:
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
-Isaiah 40:28-31
Let us wait, trust, and obey in faith so that we can run and not be weary, walk and not faint!
Love,
Jennifer
