Esther: Patience

This morning, I was kind of dreading writing another thing about Esther, and yet kind of hopeful as well.  The last couple of weeks have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for me.  Up, down, twist, turn, upside down, right side up again.....This morning I was feeling particularly drained and worn and in need of some serious time with my Father.  I shared my heart with Him and, as always, He encouraged me.  However, the roller coaster that I am on seems to not be quite over yet.  So, with some hesitation and expectation, I opened my Bible this morning to see what God had shared with me over a month ago in the book of Esther; knowing full well it would speak directly to where I am  right now.  Hopefully looking for encouragement and yet somewhat dreading the rod of correction I knew it would bring.  And sure enough, at the top of Chapter Five of Esther, I had written:  Proper Timing and Patience.  So, here goes, this may be more for me than you, but I pray that as you read it, you will also be blessed.

In Chapter Five, Esther has just completed three days of fasting and praying.  She dressed herself in her royal clothes and she approached the King.  He graciously received her and seemed to obviously see that Esther was in distress because his first question to her was, "What is troubling you, Queen Esther?"  At this point, Esther could have blurted it all out.  I think that is what I might have done.  I might have started crying, blubbering, and pouring out in a million and one words the heaviness that laid on my heart.  But Esther didn't do that.  From what I read, she stayed poised and calm and invites the King and Haman to a banquet which she is going to prepare for them.  At this point of the story, I want to say "Stop the story and wait a second."  How can she wine and dine and even serve when her heart must have been beating wildly inside her chest?  How can she serve the man, Haman, who has already vowed to kill her people?  How can she remain so calm?  I have to take myself back a bit to Chapter 4 where the answer to these questions lie.  Maybe she was nervous, but I believe her poise, her peace, came from the fact that for three days she had fasted, prayed, and sought after the heart of her Heavenly Father.  In His presence she had received His strength and His peace which passes all understanding.  It covered her during this time.

The King accepted the invitation as did Haman.  And when the time came, the King asked Esther again what her petition and request were.  Again, Esther invited them to another meal, another banquet, another night of feasting.  The King accepted and Haman went out from the meal very happy and pleased.  He went home, slightly bothered by the sight of Mordecai in the Kings gate, and spoke to his family of all his wealth, status, and good standing with the Queen.  All this he had and yet he just wouldn't be content until that awful Mordecai was gone.  His family suggested he build some gallows and hang Mordecai on it the next day.  This greatly pleased Haman and he did just that.

In all this, things did not look like they are going well for Esther.  If I was her, again, I would be filled with anxiety, worry, and an urgency to have Haman dealt with.  But Esther stayed calm.  It makes me wonder a bit what God shared with her in those three days of fasting and prayer.  Did He reveal His plan to her?  I don't think so.  God often doesn't reveal His full plan to us.....but He does offer us His peace. 

I love Esther's patience.  No hurry.  No rush in a seemingly urgent situation.  Instead she patiently waited..........and let God work.