Esther And Her Faith
Esther 4:16 says, “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.”
After Esther became the queen to the Persian king Ahasuerus (Est 1:1), her faith and humble spirit seemed far removed from all the political drama surrounding the kingdom. As bible-believing Christians, we often find ourselves surrounded by so many trials and oppositions (2 Cor 4:15). We sometimes cower in fear and hide in our little corners, just like Elijah (1 Ki 19:13); which could easily compromise our faith (Josh 1:9). Instead of returning to Jerusalem, Esther chose to stay in “the kingdom for such a time as this” (v. 14). She learned the Persian culture and began to assimilate herself.
This is what missionaries do when they arrive in their mission fields – they try to learn the language, traditions and the local’s way of life so they can reach them with the gospel without compromising the truth! This is what Paul did when he lived “as a Jew, that he might gain the Jews” (1 Cor 9:20). He observed how they kept their feasts (Acts 18:21), so he can teach that they are no longer “under the law, but under grace” (Rom 6:14). Esther and her cousin Mordecai were opposed by the wicked Haman, who plotted to destroy the Jews (Est 3:8).
That is why Esther proclaimed a fast before she goes to the king on behalf of the Jews. She put her life at risk because she was more concerned about the lives of her own people! There will always be people like Haman who will oppose the truth (2 Tim 2:25). But just like Esther, we can courageously fight against evil by putting on “kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Col 3:12). Our God shall fight for us (Deut 3:22), if we are willing to stand up for Jesus! God bless you!
-Pastor Melito Barrera
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