I have really ruminated about Esther’s uncommon kind of courage and confidence among the womenfolk. Apart from her cousin, Mordecai, she practically did not have anybody that could stick up for her in terms of influence and connection. Naturally, we humans tend to act according to our mental status and social networking, especially when it gets to relating with higher authorities, and the monarchical class of that era, at which Esther reigned as queen.
The courage to appear before King Ahasuerus was very spectacular and at some point, I queried her state of mind, taking such a step. It takes a man or woman who has totally submitted to the Lordship and sovereignty of Jesus to grab the bull by the horn, the way Esther did. Esther’s prototype of courage cannot be exhibited naturally in the face of intimidation, threats and danger, except for someone with an exceptional mindset of a deliverer.
Despite the mystery behind the existence of God, I have noticed a significant feature of the creator of heaven and the earth. He is the same yesterday today and He will remain the same forever. “For I am the LORD, I change not…” (Malachi 3:6). According to Charles Spurgeon:
“The fabric of which this world is made is ever passing away; like a stream of water, drops are running away and others are following after, keeping the river still full, but always changing in its elements. But God is perpetually the same. He is not composed of any substance or material but is spirit-pure, essential, and ethereal spirit-and therefore he is immutable. He remains everlastingly the same.”
God is immutable, but men change, hence the reason for the shift from a drop in the supernatural happenings and occurrences which the ancient men and women that walked with God experienced. There is a significant drop in the display of boldness and courage in the face of adversities and persecutions, and there are men and women who have been prepared for such a time as this, but where are they? Their inconsistencies and courage-deficiency have incapacitated the potency of the supernatural manifestations of the unchanging God.
Finding Courage in God
Esther courageously prepared herself to be paraded before the king, at a time she did not have anybody as back-up, but God and believed in the infinite power of the Almighty. “And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head” (Esther 2:17).
Accepting to walk with God requires dogged determination. It, therefore, has certain elements, from which emanates courage, boldness and responsibility. During the days of Queen Esther in the palace of King Ahasuerus, Haman, the Agagite had a deep hatred for Mordecai because he did not bow down for him as other king’s servants did (According to the commandment of the king). “And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (Esther 3:2). With this hatred towards Mordecai, he decided to transfer to the entire nation of Jews living in all the provinces within the kingdom.
Haman decided to usurp his new position, being promoted by the king, to punish Mordecai and his people. Due to the influence he had within the king’s office, he got the king’s ring for the endorsement of an act and signs it into law that the entire nation of Jews be totally wiped out. Due to the desperation to achieve his aim, Haman offered to pay ten thousand talents of silver to those who have been trained to carry out these strategic instructions. King Ahasuerus gave his approval for Haman’s proposal.
Being A Team Player
Esther, being called for such a time as this, was advised by Mordecai, her cousin, and reminded her that God had prepared, promoted and enthroned her to the echelon of the royals in order to rescue the nation of Jews at that critical season of Haman’s triggered threats and intimidation. At first, when Mordecai commanded Esther to approach the king, with the aim of influencing the policy which has been passed into law; killing the Jews in retaliation to Mordecai refusal to bow for Haman, Esther responded cowardly that it was not within her statutory rights, even as queen. It was against the law to enter the king’s inner chambers without being invited by the first-class monarch. The punishment is death, especially if the king does not raise his golden sceptre. But if the king raises the golden sceptre, she would live. “Again Esther spake…whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.” (Esther 4:10-11).
Considering the relationship between Mordecai and Esther, he encouraged her and Esther agreed to meet the king with the aim of opening up the matter before him to seek a cancellation of the Haman’s killer-decree with a new one, which Mordecai proposed to the king through Queen Esther. “…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” (Esther 4:16).
Here, the supernatural power of Jesus came to display. Courage, determination, corporate prayers and fasting amongst brethren have high efficiency and direct potency in seasons of troubles, tribulations, intimidations and evil spiritual threatening. No matter how hostile and scary your present situations are, Jesus Christ has the overall capacity to put them under control. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in the earth.” (Matthew 28:18). All you need do is to trust Him and be still in whatever the situation or circumstance is, and wait on Him for victory, and He will certainly show up.
