The story of Esther reminds us that when the outlook is grim, we can always turn (or return) to God
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"Whenever, in short any matter of difficulty and great importance is under consideration: on the other hand, when manifestations of the divine anger appear, as pestilence, war, and famine, the sacred and salutary custom of all ages has been for pastors to exhort the people to public fasting and extraordinary prayer."
John Calvin, Institutes, IV
It's a great time to pause and reflect on God's faithfulness over the last year and to anticipate the possibilities of the new year.
There are challenges and uncertainties for sure, but there's also hope. In Jesus, we always have reason to be optimistic about the future.
An Amazing Story
The story of Esther is especially relevant at this time. Not only is it the dramatic tale of how God delivered the Jews from a plot to eradicate them, it is also a story about how the faithful respond when everything is coming undone.
The two main characters are Esther and her older cousin (or uncle), Mordecai. They are both political prisoners in a far-away land, but by God's providence they get promoted to high-level positions. Against all odds, Esther even becomes the queen.
Long story short, Mordecai learns that there is a plot to wipe out all of the Jews in the land, so he implores Esther to go to the king and intercede for their people. His challenge to her lives in infamy:
"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" -Esther 4:14
Esther rose to the occasion. She decided to take the risk. She would reveal her Jewish identity to the king and ask for his help.
But not until the situation was first bathed in prayer.
Mordecai's words to Esther were powerful, but what she said back to him is equally profound, if not more so. She said,
"Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die." -Esther 4:16
Esther's courage is an inspiration. She knew God had given her a special platform and she was willing to leverage it for a righteous cause.
But notice, before Esther went to the throne of King Xerxes, she insisted on going to the Throne of Grace. The fast she called for implied prayer also. Esther reckoned the combination of fasting and prayer as the only way to face the dire circumstances in front of them. Before doing anything else, she and her people would humbly appeal to God Almighty.
The rest is history. God reversed the whole thing. The bad guy with the wicked scheme ended up falling into his own trap while Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews ended up flourishing in a foreign land.
The Application
The story is an important reminder of how God works through the prayers of people that are dialed in on him. The practice of fasting and prayer has long been a resource of the faithful when the outlook is daunting.
So as we welcome a new year, may we be inspired to pull away from our normal routines for a bit and seek God so that "we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Personally, I will be setting aside some time early in January for an Esther-type fast. If your health allows, maybe you would consider skipping a meal or two and committing to a time of prayer?
Here's to a breakthrough in 2024! Happy New Year!
It's a new day year with God. Run with it.
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