Waiting On The Lord

No doubt Esther was scared to approach the king with her request. Her life was in his hands. Perhaps she simultaneously wanted to put it off and couldn’t wait for it to be over.
Therefore, it is slightly surprising (to me, anyway) that she talked with King Xerxes about the plight of the Jews over a two-day period.

Following three days of prayer and fasting, Esther entered the King’s court. She found favor with the king and returned the favor by giving him a banquet. Xerxes was so pleased that he offered her whatever she wanted up to half the kingdom. Her request?  She wanted to invite the king and Haman to yet another special banquet.

It was at the second banquet, on the second day, that Esther presented her petition:

“Then Queen Esther answered, ‘If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.’” (Esther 7: 3-4)

The king granted Esther’s request.

What was it about Esther’s approach that gave it success?   There are several things that we can learn from her patient approach:

• She committed the matter to the Lord. She called on God’s people to pray and fast.
• She trusted in God’s timing. She approached the king and then waited until it was time to make her petition. In the meantime, the Lord used the chronicles of Xerxes’ reign to remind him that Mordecai had saved his life. What would have happened if she had skipped ahead to the petition before God finished preparing Xerxes’ heart?
• She deepened her relationship with Xerxes before making her petition. Esther had not seen the king in 30 days. She was not bitter about that fact. She did not nag; instead, she strengthened her relationship with him. In the same way, we need to deepen our relationship with non-believers as we share the gospel with them.
• She was determined to follow God no matter the cost. Her resolve was not influenced by delays or danger.

Today, you may be facing a difficult situation requiring wisdom, bravery, determination and patience. Lean on the Lord and trust Him.

By LaRaine Rice

LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth. She also serves as the Ministry Leader for Orphan Care Alliance in the Southern Bluegrass Region. She invites you to show God’s love to vulnerable children and families.