She Stood Up for God's People- She Won Favor "in the Eyes of Everyone Seeing Her" -Conlusion

 Young people today can likewise bring joy to the hearts of parents and guaradians.  When out of their parents sight -even if surrounded by people who are shallow, immoral, or vicious-they can resist bad inflluences and stick to the standards that they know are right.  When they did so, like Esther, they make the heart of their heavenly Father rejoice. - Read PROVERBS  27:11.

When the time came for Esther to be  presented to the king, she given the liberty to select any items she thought she might need, perhaps to beautify herself further.  Modestly, though, she asked for nothing beyond what Hegai mentioned to her.  (Esther 2:15) She probably realizef that beauty alone would not win the kings's heart, a modest and humble spirit would prove far rarer commodity in the court.  What she right?

The account answers: "The king came to love Esther more than all the other women, so that she gained more favor and loving-kindness before him than all the other virgins. And he proceeded to put he royal headdress upon  her head and make her queen instead of Vashti."  (Esther 2:17)  It must have been hard  for this humble Jewish girl to adjust to the change in her life-she was the new queen, wife to ther most powerful monarch on earth at that time!  Did her new position go to her head, filling her with pride?  Far from it! 

Esther remained obedient to her adoptive father, Mordecai. She kept her connection to the Jewish people a secret.  Further, when Mordecai uncovered a plot to assassinate Ahasuerus, Esther obediently passed his warning along to the king, and the plotters were foiled.  (Esther 2:20-23)   She still expressed faith in her God by showing a humble, obedient spirit. How we need Esther's example todayt, when obedience is rarely valued as a virtue and when  disobedience and rebellion are the norm! But people of genuine faith treasure obedience, as Esther did.

Next time: She Stood Up for God's People - Esther's Faith Under Test

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