She Stood Up for God's People

 A Faith Stronger Than the Fear of Death

For Esther, the the time of decision had arrived.  She asked Mordecai to get her countrymento join her in a three-day fast, concluding her message with a statement that resonates down to this day in its simple faith and courage: "In case I must perish, I must perish." (Esther 4:15-17)  She must have prayed  more fervently  those three days than she had ever had in her life. Finally, though, the moment came. She dressed in her very best royal finery, doing all she could to appeal to the king. Then she went. 

As describe at the outset of his chapter, Esther mader her way tot he king's court.  We can only imagine the anxious thoughts and fervent prayers filling her mind and heart.  She entered the courtyard, where she could see Ahasuerus on his throne. Perhaps she tried to read the expression on his face-the face that was framed by the carefully tended symmetrical curls of his hair and of his squared beard.  If she had to wait, it must have felt like an eternity. But the moment passed-her husband saw he. He was surely surprised, but his expression softened. He held out his golden scepter! - ESTHER 5:1, 2. 

Esther had gained an audience, a hearing ear. She had taken a stand for her God  and for her people, setting a beautiful example of faith for all her servants of god down through time.  True Christians today cherish such examples. Jesus said that his genuine followers would marked by self-sacrificing  love.  (Read John 13:34, 35.) Showing such love often requires courage like Esther's. But even after Esther stood up for God's people that day,  her work was only beginning. How would she convince the king that his favorite adviser, Haman was a  wicked schemer?  How could she help to save her people?  We will consider these questions in the following chapter. 

Next time: She Acted Wisely. Bravely, and Selflessly

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