Behind the Scenes – The Esther StorySample

Mordecai understands the risk to Esther’s life, but he refuses to back down. He sends another message to Esther with these words: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place… And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

In that moment, Esther understands her calling. She tells Mordecai to gather together all the Jews and fast and pray for her and says that she would follow suit. 

And then she says these stirring words: I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.’

Esther was not cut out for the job that lay ahead of her. She had no family to fall back on, she’d lived in a harem, she’d agreed to everything her attendants told her to do, she’d kept her identity as a Jew a secret, she hadn’t even heard that her people were facing genocide. 

How did she suddenly gain such resplendent courage? We don’t know the answer. But we do have some hints – Esther speaks of fasting and prayer. She knew she didn’t have what it takes – but that was perfectly fine because she was putting her trust in a God who was far greater than any human power. 

Matthew 10 reminds us that our God is in control – that even the most seemingly insignificant sparrow falls to the ground only when God allows it.

And then it goes on to say: So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 

John Piper reminds us that “the sovereignty of the Lord is meant to take away fear.”

Esther did not need to fear because the God who determines when a sparrow falls to the earth would determine the outcome of this situation.

God’s perfect control over every situation should give us unbounded courage to go where He leads.

Father God, You are in control of every detail of my life and every detail of this universe. May Your sovereignty take away any semblance of fear – especially the fear of man. Keep my eyes focused on You while I fulfill the works You’ve prepared in advance for me to do. Amen