When Mordecai encouraged Esther to do something to help her people from being annihilated because of Haman's hatred toward the Jews, she asked Mordecai and her people to pray on her behalf because she planned to see King Xerxes without permission. It would be against the law of the Medo-Persian Empire to see the King without being summoned, including the queen. The only way for Queen Esther to survive was for King Xerxes to hold his gold scepter toward her so she could be pardoned and welcomed. After three days of praying, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace. When King Xerxes saw Queen Esther, the King was pleased to see her, so the King held out to Queen Esther the gold scepter, and Esther touched the scepter's tip. Then the King asked her, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." Then Queen Esther invited the King and Naman to a banquet and told the King she would answer her request then (Esther 5:1-8).
Esther must have been trembling when the King saw her standing in King's court, but because of her faith in God and her love for her people, she was willing to face the consequences. There are times that we need to step out of faith and trust God for whatever the result, knowing He is in control. There is so much freedom in walking by our faith in our Heavenly Father because when we completely trust His loving arms, we can face any challenges, even when we lose everything and face death. The only thing that Esther held on to when she faced the King without permission was her faith in God.
Psalm 16:8 says, "I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Let us always keep our eyes on the Lord so that we may walk according to our faith. We need to put God first in our hearts to strengthen our faith in Him.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you). How is my faith in God? Do I trust God with my life? How can I strengthen my faith in God?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you are the God who created and knows me thoroughly. Please help me put you first in my heart so my faith will be strengthened. May I only trust in you and not in my understanding, strength, and material possessions, for you are the only one who can save my soul. In your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.
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