The Audacity of FaithSample

"If I Perish, I Perish" - Esther

"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." Esther 4:16

The Hope of the Jews rests on the shoulder of a young Queen; she has a choice: stand up for your people or watch them die, but it's not that simple. If the Queen will present the matter before the King, she has to wait until the King sends for her. No one goes to the King uninvited; it's a death sentence. Unfortunately, the Queen cannot afford to wait; many lives are on the line, and by the time the King eventually sends for her, Haman might have succeeded in killing all the Jews.

Esther instructed the Jews to go on a three-day fast, and she will also do the same. At the end of the fast, Esther strategically positioned herself where the King would see her to increase her likelihood of being called. Ruth did the same when she was trying to get Boaz's attention. (Ruth 3:3-9). Sometimes, we express faith through calculated and strategic moves. Spirituality is not against reasoning. Eventually, Esther's effort paid off, and the King sent for Esther. Faith is not always safe, but God never turns his back on bold and audacious attempts. The probability that the King will grant Esther's request to rescue the Jews is unknown, but it is worth giving it a shot.

Esther's position as a Queen echoes the need for more godly men and women at the higher echelon of Power and Authority. Those who are willing to stand and speak against evil and immoral policies and laws. Those who are not afraid to plead the case of the disadvantaged and the destitutes. Those who will not get carried away with the privilege and allure of the 'palace' and whose morals and values will not be compromised.

Esther found favour before the King, predicated on her courage and audacity. Remember the saying, fortune favours the bold. When we step out in faith, God also steps out with us. Peter said to Jesus, bid me to come, unto thee on the water, and with faith, Peter stepped out of the boat to walk on the water. Though he got distracted and started sinking, Jesus was in close proximity to rescue.

Every now and then, we will have those moments, just like Peter, when we get off-track because of fear, but God won't sit back watching his children drown; he will step in. Our role is to create the avenue and events that will trigger his move and attention. Today, take a bold step of faith; God won't sit back watching you drown.