Esther 5:1 – 2 “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.”
Whoa! Wait a minute! Step on the brakes here! Does anyone notice what I noticed? There are three days missing out of this story!
Three days. That is a long time, when you are afraid for your life. That was a long time for Esther to think about the fact that she may soon perish. In my opinion, those were perhaps the three most important days in the entire story.
For three days, Esther fasted. All of the Jews fasted for her, as well. Remember, Jews didn’t fast just for the sake of being hungry. They fasted for spiritual reasons – to call desperately on God. And they waited.
Sometimes, we get ahead of ourselves, and we get ahead of God. We don’t like to wait, and so we lunge forward without giving God time to work. But during that time, Esther was gaining courage and strength. During that time God was even working in Xerxes’ heart, so that he would miss his little wife, and be happy to see her.
These days, we are spoiled by our fast food and our action adventure movies, and we expect all of life to be that way. But perhaps the most important work that takes place in our hearts is during the waiting time. It is during the quiet times that we draw near to God. It is during these times that our strength is renewed. It’s during these times that God prepares the way for us, so that our paths will be smooth when we do finally move ahead.
I am reminded once again of this verse:
Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.”
I’m glad Esther waited. I want to be better at the waiting, too, for I know that’s where I gain strength.
Dear Father, Please help me to wait on You.
Amen
Hi Renae! Tonight I have read through all the posts I have missed, and how much I have enjoyed them and learned from them! This series on Esther has been so good for me.
You have done such a wonderful job of bringing out God’s constant behind-the-scenes involvement in Esther’s story…nothing was by accident, not even her beauty! And I know our lives are no different…
That’s right, Jeanette. I have learned so much from Esther, too. He is always there, even when we can’t see or hear or feel Him. He is always active and powerful.
Thanks so much for your encouragement. I’m glad you’re all caught up now!
Renae,
I’m really enjoying and learning from these posts on Esther as well. This lesson on waiting is such an important one for our always-in-a-hurry society.
Thank you, Lillie! Yes, I’m the WORST about always being in a hurry. But God wants us to slow down and just rest in Him, doesn’t He?
Renae’
Today’s verse is just one of my favorite. I need to often to
remind me to be patient and wait upon the Lord.
Enjoy your devotions so much!
I am praying for Chloe’, keep me posted.
Love You All, DeLain
DeLain, How did you know? I have been thinking of you and Malcolm so much in the past few days. Thanks for the prayers for Chloe. Keep ’em comin’.
Love you so much.
–r
xx
I seem to play a waiting game a lot of the time. I don’t seem to get much better at it, though!
Jackie, isn’t that what mothers do? 😉 I don’t seem to be improving much, either.