Faith in Action - Emunahనమూనా

God's favor in the midst of chaos

The book of Esther begins with a celebration that involves vanity and drunkenness. The story begins with a drunken and unreasonable king, commanding his queen to make an appearance before a bunch of drunken men. The King’s fit of rage and the subsequent banishment of Queen Vashti sets a very chaotic tone and opens for us a window into the nature of King Xerxes. Yet, this context also helps us to understand that God can use the worst of this world to do the best for His own.

Between Chapters 1 and 2, four years had actually elapsed. In those four years, the king had gone to war with the Greeks, and had returned defeated and in distress. The plan to “find a Queen for the King” was made in an effort to cheer him up with a sensual diversion. But even through this vain scheme made for a lustful king, God worked out the best for His own.

However, for God’s grand plan to be played out in Esther’s life, she had to step out in faith. She had to leave the security of Mordecai’s home, knowing that if she failed, she would be a prisoner in the harem all her life. But Esther’s leap of faith invited the favour of God into her life. She found favour with Hegai – who gave her a special menu, a special place and specially chosen maids to take care of her. When we take a leap of faith, we open the floodgates of God’s favour into our life. When we put ourselves out there in faith, we will see that God has already set up the best resources and the best people working to take us into our God-ordained destiny.

Reflection time:

1. Write down two situations wherein the odds are against you.
2. How can you put your faith into action and make a leap of faith in those two situations?

Have a little chat with God about all that you have written down.