TIMING is Crucial!

God has been drawing me, like many others, to the book of Esther. I know many spoke last year of Amy Coney Barrett being a type and shadow of Esther for our time. That may well be the case, we will see how history unfolds, but this post isn't about her or what she may or may not do. The things that stood out to me as I re-read the story were pertinent to our time but not things that I may have heard pointed out in the usual discussion of the events. God is so good about revealing things to us when we need them.

Once again I find myself sick at home. I could ask "why me?" but where will that get me? So many are going through the same and worse. What does that have to do with Esther you may ask? Well, patience was a big factor in her story along with some other vital lessons, found throughout the Bible’s book of Esther. Esther was young and beautiful, she had a life with her family and that life was disrupted by the king's decision to find a new, young, virgin bride. His current wife left much to be desired by angering him with disobedience and humiliation in front of important guests. So Esther was taken away from her family along with many other young women and she began the process of beautification to be presented to the king. We think we go through a lot as women today to be beautiful, but this process took 12 months!!! So now this young woman is away from her family, with strangers, and she is put through a preparation process for 1 year!

Let's expound on this. How many of you have ever been in a place of preparation and sacrifice? I know I have, and it can be trying, frustrating, and can cause anger and fear. We are human and those emotions are normal, but let us look at Esther. She found favor with those in charge of her. She acted with kindness and humility. She was obedient to her cousin Mordecai, who raised her after her parents died. She was in the palace, and still she maintained who she was. She didn't let it go to her head. She did not become angry and vengeful for the sacrifice of her desires to come and go as she pleased, to choose the life she may have wanted to live, and to spend time with family. How many of us would do the same in that situation?

Esther found favor with the king and became his queen. The time of preparation was worth the efforts, the sacrifice, the trial. It may not have been the life she chose but God had a plan. How many can say that they just happened to be chosen as queen? That is an honor. But trouble followed and a man named Haman sought to kill her uncle and he went further and convinced the king to have all of the Jews killed. Esther and her uncle were Jewish but Haman and the king didn't know who Esther's family were. That is a hard place to find yourself. She was in great place of power but Esther could lose her life by going to the king without him asking for her to address the issues.

Let's move to Haman for a moment. In life not only can it take time for God to prepare us for our purpose, while that is happening the enemy may be plotting our demise. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (New American Standard Bible 1995). Thank God, because, in the case of Mordecai and Esther, Haman plotted for a year against Mordecai. We see this happen in our day and age too, often those who plot evil will be patient and wait for what they feel is the right time to attack. Patience for evil? In Haman's case, he waited and made a plan. Little did He know that God had a counter plan.

In fact, he even went as far as giving the Jews another 12 months after enacting his plan for them to prepare or run away. What? BUT GOD!

Esther was brave and she went to the king. What the enemy meant for evil was turned around in 3 months, and the outcome on that day of doom for the Jews roughly 9 months later was the final victory. Mordecai was honored by the king and Haman himself carried it out. The trap he set for the Mordecai and the Jews was used against him. He was killed on the gallows that he ordered to be built. See how that works?

The enemies of God's people were destroyed and the Jews had a place of honor in their Queen, Mordecai, and the eyes of the townspeople.

At this point if you are still reading, thank you for your patience!

If you feel pressed, tested, stretched, and tried, thank God! Let him prepare you for your victory. For the fruition of your purpose. For placement in His plan. Be strengthened by The Holy Spirit and trust that what God has planned will be so much more than what you could have attempted to do yourself. Remember, Romans 12:19, "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written; "Vengence is Mine, I will repay' says the Lord" (NASB 1995).

It is easy to let anger slip in and to act out of emotion rather than going to God for help. It is easy to begin to hate and judge and to forget to pray for your enemy. But, this is not what we are called to do. Matthew 5:44, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (NASB). Not only are we to pray for them but we are to love them.

I am being reminded along with you all that I am falling short in this.

We must remember that God has a plan. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11(NASB).

If we approach our situations with patience, obedience, humility, and kindness like Esther and Mordecai, our outcome will be led by God.

Do not despair, hold tight to God. Praise Him and be grateful for all that you have, instead of being upset about what you don't have.

Praise breaks chains, just ask Paul and Silas.

Do your best not to be impatient in the times of waiting, God is working things out for your good. Even when it looks like the enemy has the upper hand, God will prevail!!!