Esther is a very important female figure in the Old Testament. She was taken to the King and she found favor. It's a story similar to the fairy tales we hear today. She went from rags to riches. The world would say she seized an opportunity. However, if you look closer into her story, God positioned her to be the King's wife to save her people.
Although God put Man at the head of all things, women have power. We are the helpmate and when we pray there is power. Esther was asked to do an outrageous thing by her mentor; she was to go to the King without being called. In those days, if the King did not receive you, it was your death sentence. Can you imagine her horror when she was asked to go to the King unannounced? That's like going to your spouse when he is angry and asking to talk to him. Good luck. And yet, she had faith that God would help her if she was to petition him. She told Mordecai that she would fast for 3 days and that he and others were to do the same. During that fast, they would pray and after 3 days, she would go to the King.
Let's see, if you had a choice, would you just want to sit quietly in your castle, or would you want to risk your life to save a nation? I know what I would want to do. Esther had great faith in God and realized that she would have no peace if she didn't go to the King. She also realized that fasting gave her the wisdom and strength to go to him. Finally, she asked others to join her so that she could hear from God.
Without fasting, I doubt she would have walked into the King's court. I don't know many people that practice the art of fasting. It's to be done in silence, however, there is a mighty power in it. Esther knew it and we should consider implementing the practice into our lives. I am not talking about everyday or even once a month. I am saying that if the Holy Spirit puts it on your heart, try it, you have nothing to lose.
Esther 4:15-17 NKJV:
Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.
Matthew 21:20-21 NKJV:
So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, "Move from here and there," and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
What have we learned today? That fasting and prayer have power. That faithfulness comes through God and that God gave a woman the ability to save a nation. Not bad. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you don't have a great purpose. You may be called today or 10 years from now but realize He has a purpose for your life and walk in faith that He can fulfill it.
My prayer today:
Lord, thank you for the story of Esther. I want to challenge myself to fast when you call me too. The only way I am going to move mountains is by praying and fasting. Thank you for giving me guidance and for reminding me that there is purpose in this journey, far beyond what I can see. Give me strength to look toward you in all circumstances. We thank you for the power behind the cross. Forgive me for my sins today so that I can be closer to you and reveal yourself in a mighty way. Protect those that read these words and show me how I can become Esther. AMEN
Until tomorrow...
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