Fret Not Because of Evildoers; lessons from the life of Esther pt. 2

With all the wars and bloodshed in our world, it sometimes leaves us afraid
and fearful about the future.

God’s word gives us hope and shows us how others who were oppressed
and afflicted, faced their fears and became powerful leaders and examples of faith.

Today, let us open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with fresh wisdom
and insights from the life of a brave young woman named Esther.

The Bible says…

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against
the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as a green herb. Psalm 37:1-2

Esther had just been promoted by God, from an orphaned young girl
in a harem, to queen.

Her new husband, king Ahasuerus declared a holiday called, Esther’s Feast!

What joy she must have felt in being lifted from her pain and
adversity. God saw her humble and obedient heart and rewarded
her for her patience.

She never complained or wallowed in self pity.

Her situation looked bleak and depressing, but Esther had never been
out of the sight of her loving heavenly Father.

He had been preparing her for his greater plan, to save the Jews
from destruction.

She heeded the warning of her cousin Mordecai and told no one
of her nationality. It was God’s plan for her to be sort of
“an undercover agent” for Him in the palace.

One day Mordecai was sitting outside the king’s gate and overheard
2 of the king’s chamberlains Bigthan and Teresh plotting to
kill the king.

God had Mordecai in the right place at the right time, for His plan of action.

Mordecai sent word to his cousin, Esther about the evil assassination plot against
her new husband. She immediately informed the king and an investigation
took place. The plot was uncovered, and Bigthan and Teresh were put to
death by hanging. The kind deed which Mordecai did, was written in
the king’s book of chronicles.

There was a man in the king’s service, named Haman who was promoted
to a place of honor above all the princes. Each of the king’s servants
would bow to him in reverence, but Mordecai refused.

He feared God and would not pay anyone else reverence.

Haman was very angry that Mordecai would not show him the respect he
felt he deserved and found out he was of Jewish nationality.

He wanted to have Mordicai killed, but thought it would draw too much
attention, to single him out.

Haman came up with a wicked plot deceive the king.

He told Ahasuerus there were people who did not keep the kings laws,
and if it would please the king…he would like to be in charge of
having them all destroyed.

He sweetened the deal by saying, I will pay 10,000 talents of silver
( which is about 375 tons) to the king’s treasuries to pay for the
men who will destroy these people.

King Ahasuerus agreed and took the ring from his hand and gave it to
Haman, as a seal of his approval and said… Do what seems good to you.

With the king’s ring, he could write letters and stamp them with a seal…
as if the king had written them himself.

This greatly pleased Haman and set his plan in progress. He had
letters written to all the king’s provinces, to destroy and kill all Jews,
both young and old, women and children on the 13th day of the
twelfth month, and they could seize all their possessions.

The people began preparing for this vicious day of battle.

When Mordecai heard the news, he tore his clothes as a sign of
grief, dressed in sackcloth and ashes, and sat in the middle of the city
weeping bitterly.

There was great mourning among the Jews with fasting, weeping
and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Esther’s maids heard the commotion and told her a man named
Mordecai was outside the gate causing a great fuss. No one
suspected they were relatives.

She was upset to hear that Mordecai was in pain for some reason,
and had new clothes sent down…asking him to stop grieving…
but he would not accept them.

Esther sent one of the king’s servants, named Hatach, to ask Mordecai
what was causing him such pain and agony.

Mordecai told Hatach that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s
treasury a sum of money to have all the Jews killed. He wanted
Esther go to the king and stop this plan.

Just when Esther thought her life was going great and she could
sit back and be a lady of leisure, God was asking her to take action
and risk her life.

Esther sent word back to Mordecai saying, no one could go into the king’s
inner court without being called and I have not been called to visit
the king in 30 days. Anyone who violates the king’s privacy, will be
put to death, unless the king holds out his golden scepter.

Mordecai sent word to her…

Do you think you alone will escape, when all the Jews are put to death?

If you keep silent at this time, a deliverer will come from another place,
but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Perhaps you have
been placed in this high position, just for this purpose.

Esther realized God’s people needed rescuing and she alone held the
power to do something. She sent word asking Mordecai to gather all
the Jews together for a fast. They were not to eat or drink anything
for 3 days. She and her maid servants would fast as well.

She said…
then I will go to the king against the law and if I perish, I perish!

On the third day, Esther dressed in her finest robes and stood in the doorway
of the king’s inner court. God gave her favor, and the king held out his
golden scepter, commanding her to draw near.

She touched the top of the scepter, and the king said…

What is your request, queen Esther? I will give you whatever you ask,
up to 1/2 of the kingdom.

Esther chose her words carefully and said,

If it seems good to you, I would like you and Haman to come
to a banquet I have prepared.

The king and Haman went quickly as she had asked.

At the banquet, the king asked what was her request?

I will give you whatever you ask, up to 1/2 of the kingdom.

Esther said, If I have found favor in the sight of the king and if
it would please the king to grant my request, I would like you and
Haman to come tomorrow to another banquet I will prepare.

Esther, by her reverent behavior, held the king in the palm of her
hand, through God’s direction.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water:
he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1

Haman was on cloud 9, at being invited twice, to attend a banquet
of the queen. He could hardly wait to tell his wife and friends.

As he left the king’s palace, Mordecai was at the gate. He would
not bow in reverence and this infuriated Haman even more.

When he came home, he sent for all of his friends.
He told Zeresh his wife and all his friends about the riches he had
been given and what power the king had entrusted to him.

He bragged, Esther the queen did not let any one come in to
the banquet except the king and I. Tomorrow she is planning
another feast in our honor.

Yet, it does not give me pleasure, as long as Mordecai the Jew
is still sitting at the king’s gate.

His wife and friends said to him, Why don’t you have a gallows
be built …75 feet high and tomorrow speak to the king and ask
that he be hanged. Then merrily continue with your party.

This idea pleased Haman and he ordered the gallows to be built.

That night God caused the king to be restless and he could not sleep.

He ordered the book of chronicles be brought and read to him.

When the section was read about Mordecai saving the kings life,
by telling him of the assassination plot of Bigthan and Teresh…
the king asked… what honor had been given to Mordecai for his
bravery and kindness?

The king’s servant said…Nothing has been done for him!

By then it was morning, and Haman was just outside the inner
court door, waiting to approach the king about hanging Mordecai.

God has pretty amazing timing!!!

The king motioned him to come forward and asked…

What could be done, for the man who the king would like to honor?

Haman, thought…who else would the king want to honor but me?

He said, The man should be dressed in a royal robe of the king’s,
and sit upon the king’s horse, with a royal crown on his head.
Let the horse be led by one of the king’s most noble princes
into the city proclaiming…

This is what happens to a man who the king honors!

The king said,

Haman, do all you have said, for Mordecai the Jew. Let nothing
go undone which you have spoken.

Horrified and humiliated, Haman took Mordecai all around the city
proclaiming his honor from the king.

After this royal procession, Mordecai went back to his house
and began mourning for his people.

Haman went home that day with a sad and angry heart. He told
his wife and friends the disgusting events of the day. They said,
if Mordecai is the seed of the Jews, you shall not prevail against
him, but will surely fall before him.

Haman did not realize how true it was. Mordecai and Esther
were God’s chosen people.

God has promised in his word, to deliver the needy when they
remain faithful to him and believe in his deliverance.

He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy,
and shall break in pieces the oppressor. Psalm 72:4

Esther and Mordecai were oppressed, but God had a plan higher
than they could imagine.

Mordecai and Esther were not prideful when God elevated them.
They realized they were merely instruments in the hands of the
Almighty to be used as he saw fit.

If you are depressed or discouraged by the what’s happening in your life, hold on…

God has a plan! He is in Control! He loves to rescue his children
in their darkest hour.

We are tested, and perfected according to his divine plan.

Our life is not about us…but what God can achieve through us.

Why’s and when’s won’t sustain us. Trusting God always requires
some unanswered questions.

You can be pitiful or powerful, but not both!

Lift your praises to God and ask him to show you his higher
purpose for your life.

Like Esther, we are never orphaned, but adopted children of

the King of the universe, if we accept his Son Jesus as our Savior

and believe his death on the cross paid our sin debt in full.

There will always be evil people in the world like Haman who are prejudice
and corrupt. We have to trust that God is on our side, and know he will never
leave or forsake us.

The Bible says…

In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them:
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them
all the days of old. Isaiah 63:9

Hold on beloved, your help is in the name of the LORD!!!

Cast all your cares upon him, for he cares for you!

Heavenly Father,
Holy is Your name

Thank you for the blessing of this wonderful new day. Thank you
for leading us in worship and study. Your lessons in scripture
have the power to teach us how we too, can be transformed into
vessels useful to you, in helping save the lives of others.

Help us to purge out of our lives…any friendship, activity, or
behavior that is not pleasing to you. Forgive us for choosing to
contaminate our lives with the leprosy of sin.

LORD, make us clean and holy, for You are holy.

Show us how to be brave and victorious like Esther and Mordecai.
Help us to boldly confess our faith and trust in you to deliver and
help us, in any trial or adversity.

Fill us with Your word and ignite in us new hopes, new desires, and
new dreams that are pleasing in Your sight. Let Your light shine
brightly through us, so we may lead others to faith in Jesus,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Please help all who are tempted by the lusts and desires of the world…
alcohol, drugs, fornication, homosexuality, cutting or pornography to turn their lives
and heart to You for forgiveness, and for the strength to overcome all temptations.

We lift up prayers to you for people with eating disorders. Help them to
feel beautiful from the inside and see that they are uniquely
designed by your loving hands, in Your image.

You alone can help them to feel loved and whole whatever their weight may be.
Help us to choose healthy foods to fuel our bodies and not fall into the temptation
to overstuff or starve your temple.

Thank you Father for always being our ever present help in time of trouble.
Thank you for your mercy and grace, fresh and new each day. Help us to
have repentant hearts. Help us to receive your forgiveness as a free gift,
and rest peacefully, knowing there is now, no condemnation to those
who are in Christ Jesus.

Help us to forgive ourselves, and joyfully go out into the world
and share your love and mercy with others.

United in our prayers, we offer to You the sacrifice of praise and
thanksgiving. All praise and glory belongs to You! With You
all things are possible. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us
from our sins, and for loving us enough to correct and perfect us.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression
of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth
in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities;
and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19

Your sister and servant of the LORD Jesus,
Valerie Rousseau