What we can learn from Esther

1. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Remember that Esther lived in a time when Israel was in captivity as a consequence to
their disobedience to God. She was just an adopted daughter of a cousin living in a foreign
land. Other than her beauty, she was not unique in any way. In fact, she was a Jew, which was
a minority race that was frowned upon and at times scorned or worse.

On a typical day in the Kingdom of Xerxes, God used Esther to carry out His plan. A
plan that He ordained before she was even born.

God can use you, too, for His plans. You just need to submit to His will and go when
and where He calls you. (If you are struggling with finding God’s calling for your life

2. Beauty should not make us boastful

From all biblical accounts, Esther was a very beautiful woman. And, given a whole
year of pampering and beauty treatments, her beauty could only have been enhanced.

The king was enthralled with her physical beauty, but her quiet and humble
spirit shone through, especially to Hegai, the eunuch charged with preparing the virgins for
their time with the king.

When the king summoned one of the young maidens, each was permitted to bring in
with her anything she felt would help her to be more attractive. Esther, however, took only
what Hegai advised and the king was very pleased. So pleased, that he chose her to be his
queen.

She could have requested anything. She could have been demanding, but she was
humble and let her inner beauty and her faith in God shine through.

You may have been born with physical good looks, but if your attitude or personality
is sour, no amount of beauty will cover that up. Remember that God has blessed you with
your looks, but it is up to you to treat people with respect, be humble and gracious and
remember Who created you.

3. With God’s help, we can step out in faith and fight our fears

Esther was a Jewish woman (a lowly esteemed group) who was wife to a powerful
king. No one, not even the queen, was to approach the king without being asked. And,
 remember, that King Xerxes had an evil member of his cabinet, Haman, who had already
convinced the king to kill all of the Jews. Can you imagine the fear she would be feeling?

Her first reaction was hesitation. She did not want to approach the king. Instead, she
prayed and fasted for three days and then bravely approached the king.

4. Our past doesn’t dictate our future

As I’ve mentioned, Esther didn’t come from much, but God had a plan for her life.
Esther, an orphan, living in a strange country, probably didn’t dream of being queen. No
matter where we come from, where we live or the mistakes we’ve made, we can put that all
in the past and move confidently forward knowing that God has plans for us, for hope and a
future. You, too, my friend. Your past does not dictate your future – only God can!  God
places mentors in our life to teach us wisdom

Mordecai proved to be a wonderful mentor and parent to Esther. He gave her good
advice before she went to the palace with the other virgins (don’t share that you are Jewish)
and he continued to give her advice after she became queen.

Mordecai was also very loyal. Remember that he went to Esther when he uncovered
the plot of the guards to murder the king.

When he learned of the plan to kill all of the Jews, he asked Esther to go before the
king. We now know that this timely.

We all need God-loving mentors in our life who will advise, correct and at times,
rebuke us. God places these special people in our lives to raise up the next generation and
help them to follow His ways.

6. Our strength does not come from us

When Esther was reminded that she may have been made queen “for such a time as
this”, she drew on strength to save her fellow Jews, but that strength was not of her own.
Her strength came from God. She fasted and prayed and drew on the supernatural strength
from God to approach the king and save a nation.

When you feel weak. When life’s struggles seem overwhelming and you feel like you
just can’t do it. Don’t. Give it to God and let Him do it for you. Let Him fight your battles.
 7. God’s timing is perfect. Ours is flawed.

When Esther learned of Haman’s plan to massacre the Jews, she didn’t instantly
jump up and run to the king. Rather, she prayed, fasted and waiting for God to prompt her
on when to approach the king and how to do it.

While Esther, Mordecai and the other Jews faster and prayed, God was keeping a
certain king up at night and pointed him to read the book of the kingdom.

If Esther had immediately approached the king when she heard of the plan to kill the
Jews, the king would not have had the opportunity to read the book and be reminded of
Mordecai’s good deed of saving his life. This, in turn, opened the door for Mordecai to be
honored and Esther to ask the king to save the lives of the Jews.

God’s timing is always perfect. The story of Esther in the Bible reminds us to pray
and wait for God to work.

8. Loving others is the most beautiful thing we can do

Jesus reminded us when He paraphrased the Torah and said that love is the
greatest commandment. Loving God and loving others. THAT is what it’s all about.

Esther knew this in her heart and said “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).

She was willing to risk her own life to save the lives of many.

While there aren’t too many of us who would be faced with this type of situation, I
pray that, if the situation called for it, that I would call on God and be willing to risk my own
life to save others.

9. We can make an impact for generations

When Esther stepped up and spoke to save the Jewish people, she couldn’t have
known that she would be impacting generations to come. Her selfless and brave act have
been celebrated since that time.

You will never know how one small act of loving others can make an impact on
many. What can you do today which can impact a generation?