Chapter Fifteen/She Stood Up for God's People - A Faith Stronger Than the Fear of Death

 For Esther, the time of decision had arrived. She asked Mordecai to get her countrymen to join her on 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 in those three days than she 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 described at the outset of this chapter, Esther made her way to the king's court. We can only 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 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 moment passed-her husband saw her. 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 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 well consider these questions in the following chapter.

Next time: Chapter Sixteen/She Acted Wisely, Bravely, and selflessly

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