God began stirring my heart to study Esther at the beginning of this year. I have read Esther many times before but the Lord taught me some new lessons this time and I feel compelled to share them. So here goes!
I love the book of Esther, it gives such hope. What this story shows me is God can and wants to use everybody. This really gives me hope that God can use even me! Esther was a young Jewish orphan that God chose to use for “such a time as this” and generations of people were saved because Esther chose to listen, obey God and allow Him to use her life.
I hope you have read the story of Esther, if not please do. It’s soo good!!!
We are going to start with, Esther 2:12, Before each young woman was taken to the king, she was given the prescribed twelve months of beauty treatments-six months with oil and myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments.
Who wouldn’t want twelve months of beauty treatments!!! What this tells us is that we all have to go through a seasons of preparation. The Lord has a plan for each of us and part of that plan is preparation. Just as He prepared Esther to do what He was calling her to do. She had to go before the king to become queen so that later she could step in on behalf of her people. It was all part of the plan. We see God’s divine guidance in Esther’s life. Whatever you’re walking through is preparing you for something. God will divinely guide each step. We all need seasons of preparation so when the time comes to act we are ready.
There will come a time to stand up and act, to do what it is God is calling you to do but be willing during your season of preparation to dig in and do the hard work. Be patient because later you will see all that God has been preparing for you to do.
Remember whatever it is you’re walking through is preparing you for something. God will reveal to you at the perfect time as He did Esther, what it is He is preparing you for. Seek Him and His wisdom through all seasons.
If maybe you have been through your season of preparation and you know God is calling to act, I encourage you be like Esther and go for it.
Esther 5:1-2 tells us that she went before the king and he welcomed her. She knew if he did not hold the gold scepter out she could have been put to death but she was willing because she trusted God with her life.
How many times do we let fear control us and keep us from doing what God is calling us to do, maybe we knew we were supposed to act, step out, but we didn’t? The story of Esther tells us she was afraid but in her fear she went to the Lord. She fasted and prayed, she sought the Lord. Through these actions she overcame her fear and trusted God even if it cost her life.
I’ve been debilitated by fear before and the only thing that got me through it was praying, praying, praying and reading God’s word. I still have fears but I don’t allow it to hold me back. God has delivered me from that debilitating fear. I trust God more than any fear and I encourage you to overcome any fear with God.
Think about what season you find yourself in today….
A season of preparation or a season to act. Whichever you find yourself in, seek the Lord with all you have. He will divinely guide you through each season.
You have the anointing of the Lord for “Such a time as this”.
Whatever you’re walking through is preparing you for something! Be ready and willing to act when He calls you!
I hope you enjoyed this! More to come on Esther next week;)
