2009 – Day 201.July 21 – Calm, Wise, and Confident

2009 – Day 201.July 21 – Calm, Wise, and Confident

Passage of the Day: Esther 5: 1 – 8 … Link to passage for study …

My Journal for Today: After you’ve read, studied, and perhaps meditated upon today’s passage, one has to be impressed by Esther’s coolness in going before her new husband, the King of Persia. First of all, she’s young and a new bride, not having built a longstanding relationship with her husband. Secondly, there’s the very big matter of the tradition in Persia that no one enters the presence of the King standing before him without pre-permission, which she did not have on that day. And thirdly, there is the background matter of tension between Esther, a Jew, and Haman, who had become the second in command in Persia and who had bargained with the King to eliminate the Jews in the kingdom. And so here she was, with all these factors on the table; and yet, she coolly, calmly, and confidently walked into the presence of her king.

What brought about that attitude of confidence and power given all Esther had going against her? But we know, of course, it had to be her faith in God. Esther was in a God moment; and like Mordecai had raised the girl, she was in HER MOMENT. She simply knew God was in control; and she had confidence, being a child of The Covenant King, that He would not abandon her, nor her people.

But take note of Esther’s action and plan that day. Did she immediately rat on Haman behind his back and ask that the King take him out, setting aside the new law which would eliminate the Jews? NO. In that trying moment, Esther responded wisely to wait on the Lord; and she asked for a time to set up a future confrontation where Haman would be present; and she wisely asked that this be done in the context of a feast where God could do His business in His way and in His time.

I don’t think I need to make an elaborate comparison with our lives today and how we need to become calm, wise, and confident in our God in the face of evil and calamity all around us. We need to hold to God’s truth and believe in His New Covenant the way that Esther believed in the Old Covenant. We need to recognize, acknowledge, and BELIEVE God’s New Testament truth of Hebrews 13: 5 the way Esther believed in Deuteronomy 31: 6, which is the same truth from God’s word. And though it had not been written into Scripture yet in her day, Esther believed totally in the truth drafted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:31 that “… if God is for us, who can be against us?” The question is, “Do we believe it?”

So, when we face the trials of life, some of which may be life threatening, let us come before them in the wisdom of God’s truth, knowing that our Lord will deliver us … even if that might means being delivered unto death for His glory. Let us become Esthers in our time … and stand for the glory of our Lord.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, thank You for reminding me of Your promise to protect and be with Your people so that we can stand with Your power in the face of evil and the world’s desire to bring You down. Amen