Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Esther 5 and Psalm 30

After three days of fasting and prayer, Esther was ready to put herself into a position for God to answer her prayer. Her life would be in huge danger, approaching the king without an invitation would mean instant death unless the king held out the golden sceptre to her as a sign of merciful welcome (4:11). She felt the burden of responsibility to act on behalf of God’s people, the Jews, and she also knew that she and all the Jews in the Empire had fasted and prayed. If ever there was a time to act it was now. So, Esther dressed in the appropriate robes and went to the king. If God did not answer her prayers she would die. If God was gracious to her and answered her prayers, the king would call her in and hold out the golden sceptre. That is exactly what happened! (5:2-3)

But God did much more than spare Esther’s life. He also inclined the king’s heart favourably towards Esther and indicated a willingness to give her anything she requested. To most of us the moment would have seen right to strike with her request immediately, but it appears that Esther had not only been praying for courage, she had also been praying for a plan. In prayer, she must have received a plan from God and so she stuck to that rather elaborate plan. She played her part and requested a banquet with the king and Haman. And then we also observe God performing His part in the plan – the part over which Esther had no control. In fact, she had no idea that this was even part of the plan. God handed Haman over to the wicked desires of his own heart and he had a gallows built, planning to request the king to hang Mordecai the next day (5:14). How was that part of God’s plan? Wait for chapter 6 tomorrow.

The discipleship lesson for today is that our prayers prepare the way for us to step out and behave in the way that God has directed us to, and which will position us to receive God’s answer to those prayers. Sometimes that will mean great risk, but if we are willing to trust the Lord’s guidance and direction, we can also trust that God will cause all things to work together for our good. Sometimes (like for Esther) in the early days of God’s unfolding plan things may seem to have gone from bad to worse (like when Haman was building a gallows for Mordecai). But God invites us to trust Him, in the sure and certain knowledge that He is at work, even when it seems He is not.

Abba Father, grant me the gift of faith today, I pray. Guide me, direct me, and give me the grace to follow Your lead. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.