Esther’s Favor
A few weeks ago, I was reading in Esther in my One Year, and I immediately noticed just how much attention and favor Esther has. Out of all the women her “handler” was overseeing, Esther was favored. By her handler and by all the people in the king’s court she came across.
King Xerxes is drawn to her out of everyone else, and ends up throwing a huge party and sending gifts to everyone, just because of how thrilled he is to have found and selected Esther.
Some time after this, Mordecai just so happens to overhear the assassination plot of two vindictive guards. Esther receives his report and the two would-be assassins are dealt with almost right away — and this is recorded in the king’s presence.
Even after Haman’s horrible, evil desire for all of the Jews is put into writing and made a command of the king, and all of the people are grieved and afraid, Mordecai challenges Esther with an idea — that she was made Queen for a purpose.
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Later on, after Esther’s plan is in motion, the king can’t sleep, and he just so happens to have his personal records read aloud. He is reminded of the man who saved him, and requests that whichever of his officials are in court be sent to him, so that person can honor Mordecai.
Oh, that official? It was Haman. What are the odds?
Through these events and the rest of the story, it is clear (at least to me) that God profoundly favors Esther, and she chooses to act on her blessings.
I got to thinking about all of what I was reading; Esther has so much favor poured over her. So many situations and circumstances that happen supernaturally, and Esther chooses to act. She acts in prayer and fasting, but she acts.
But what caught my attention was the person that came to my mind, quietly, thinking about favor of God and of other people over Esther — and it was my sister.
I believe that God has ordained the Favor of Esther, over you, Emily. I’m not sure what else that will entail or where it will go, but I’m excited to see and hear more of it in all the stories you’re going to tell when you are home.
