May 4, 2020

Good Morning Friends,

Yesterday we looked at what faith is and how we can display our faith to others. This week we are going to look at the giants of faith found in the bible. My hope is that we can see that we are to be the next generation of giants. I hope also that we can realize that we too can run with these giants. So today, we will learn from Esther.

Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So, he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Esther 2:17 (NIV)

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Psalms 31:14-15 (NIV)

Being a Jewish woman in the court of a king who issued a decree that all the Jews in the kingdom were to be killed put Esther in the midst of the enemies who were to pursue her. Living her life as a believer took great faith and trust in God. The same is true for us, being a believer it troubled times requires faith and trust.

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:12-14 (NIV)

Living her faith in the kingdom of God required a great focus on God. We should never be overly consumed by the things of this world. If we are, we will lose our focus.

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. Esther 4:15-16 (NIV)

Esther teaches us the living our faith requires great initiative.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25:2 (NIV)

Believers are to take the initiative to seek out the heart of our God in all the situations in our lives.

When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16 (NIV)

Living our faith requires courage. A willingness to set aside our earthly desires for the desires of our king. Living our faith in a troubled world requires our trust, focus, take some initiative, and courage.

I believe if Esther were here today, she would share with us these words of encouragement.

• First, Be ready for a change of plans. God doesn’t do things the way we would or in a way we would expect.
• Second, God needs people to be at the right place at the right time doing the right thing. God will move us to the right place at the right time, however we should always be prepared to take the action God calls us to take.
• Third, God is at work, even when we can’t see His hand. God is always about His kingdom work. We never know when He is going to call upon our faith to be a part of what He is doing.

I would like to leave you with a verse from Hebrews.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

Pastor Dennis