LIVING OUT – Post 3 out of 5 – Esther

Esther is one of those Bible characters that growing up I heard the name but never really knew much about. In fact all I knew was that she was the “good queen”. But now that I’ve read her story she is a very inspirational character to me. She was forced to become a queen actually and was told not to let them know she was a Jew. I don’t know exactly how much time passes but eventually her people are threatened and she risks her life to safe them. How does she do this? By going before the king who forced her to marry him and could have her killed for coming into his presence with out permission. She loved her people so much she was willing to die for them just for the chance to try to help them. But she was not alone she also was wise enough to ask all her people to fast and pray with her before she went. Here come the questions for thought again.

• Can you imagine being taken for a bride and told not to let them know who you are?
• Can you imagine standing up to your husband who has every authority to kill you?
• Can you imagine loving enough to risk your own life?
• Can you imagine putting your life in God’s hands at that point?

Esther is an example of love and faith. She was the only person who could help her people and she trusted God to protect and get her through. She was not willing to sit by and hope for the best; she in her love and trust acted. There are people all around you do you love any of them enough to act unselfishly like Esther. I know you may never have to risk your life but how about giving up time, social status, or something material that you really like. Also like Esther would you have the wisdom to seek God’s help in these things. Most of us, if not all, are naturally selfish with out God’s help we will fail to display or maybe even have love for others.

Challenges:

1. Ask God to show you who needs your love and how to show it
2. Ask Him to help you to be diligent in showing it
3. Don’t let your circumstances dictate whether or not you can love

Memory Verse:

Esther 4: 16

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Reading for Esther: The Book of Esther

Related posts:

1. LIVING OUT – Post 2 out of 5 – David
2. LIVING OUT – Post 1 out of 5 – Samuel