Daily Reading
Daily Thought
Haman was the king’s right hand, and he reveled in his position. All bowed before him, except one. Mordecai the Jew refused to bow and remained standing. This infuriated Haman and he plotted Mordecai’s death, but not just his–he sought to destroy all of Israel, for they were an obstinate people. They bowed before no one except God alone.
Meanwhile, Ahasuerus, king of Persia, needed a new queen (he had discarded the old one), and the virgins were paraded before him. Among them was Esther, a Jew but no one knew that. She was also Mordecai’s cousin and adopted daughter, but no one knew that either. Ahasuerus “loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen” (Esther 2:17). The book of Esther is more political than religious; the name of God is not found on its pages, but God is at work. He has his servant Esther in place.
It was a time of national peril for Israel and Mordecai appealed to Esther to approach the king. Esther’s response is to call her countrymen to fast on her behalf. Courage cannot be ignorant and Esther knew the danger of Mordecai’s request, “if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law–to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter (Esther 4:11).
“Do it anyway,” was Mordecai’s response.
“Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” ~Esther 4:14
Mordecai knew the danger, for he also had stood courageously. Mordecai is not careless of her life. He loves her and has cared for her since childhood, but cares more deeply for her soul. To keep silent when courage is called for may (or may not) save your life, but you will die inside.
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” ~Luke 9:24
Esther understood, “I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). This is no statement of despair, but of devotion to her nation and her God.
The story continues, but that is for tomorrow.
Daily Prayer
God, wonderful Savior, I will be prepared always to stand for You, as You stood for me in my place at the cross. I will be prepared, putting on Your armor daily, the faith in Your care, the hope of eternity, the love which You showed me. I will be prepared, pouring into Your Word, always ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope I have in You.
You set the time, I’ll be ready.
Amen
Daily Question
What do you typically want to know before you say yes to God?