by Tracy Rollins

Created on: September 20, 2008

The story of ESTHER (HADASSAH) is my favorite Bible story.
The story of Esther can be interrupted many ways, like all stories. This story speaks to my life. I relate as if I am in Esther's place. I am not going before an earthly king, but before the King of Kings. I don't appear to be from the best family. Many things seem to have died around me, but I do have a hope within me. I have had to go through the months of cleansing, and continual purification that I might be found worthy to enter his presence. Many sacrifices have been made, but Jesus has made a way for me. I have found favor with the king. I am not concerned about all the heaped up words I could offer, nor do I want to appear with a mask hiding my true self. I desire to know what pleases the king. What pleases his heart? I realize he wants my past, my present, and my future. This is the best that I can give him- MY LIFE and all that I am. So, quietly I come into his presence, and I make my request known. That he would take my life and make it new. I pray that the enemy of my soul would be exposed and destroyed. That every plan, every scheme against me, and even the negative words be turned for my good, and his glory.

The least expected finds favor with a king. She had neither a mother nor a father, but light shines forth.

As the story begins it appears to be a tragedy. Esther's parents have died and she is taken in by Mordecai who is her uncle. This is just a set up to greatness. Esther receives great wisdom and instruction from Mordecai. Then the day came when King Xerxes is searching for a new queen. Before a girl's turn came to go to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments. (Esther 2:12)

I choose to think of this as a cleansing process. Esther told no one of her background. Her background was not important because she found favor with everyone she met, including the king. The girls were offered the best things to take before the king. They were offered the best clothes and jewels. Esther didn't care for those things. She only wanted to know what pleased the king. She had a beauty that came from the inside out. She went before the king, and found favor and became Queen. Although, there was a plot of destruction for her people and Haman wanted to kill and destroy.

Esther was in a position to go before the king and ask for mercy. From a distance, Mordecai continued to send her words of instruction. He knew she had the key to stop this destruction and bring deliverance. Esther could not remain silent she had to save her people. Haman was enraged because Mordecai would not bow down and honor him. He plotted to kill him. He built gallows, and was planning to ask that he be hanged. Esther had invited King Xerxes and Haman to come to a meal. There she would make her request known.

In Esther 7:2 "the king asked, Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."

She asked the king to grant her life. Esther tells him how her people have been sold for destruction and slaughter. The king inquired as to who had done terrible things in Esther's sight. She stated that it was Haman. The king was enraged, and ordered Haman be hung. Haman's decree was broken, and he was hung in the place he prepared to destroy another.

There may be many who would speak against you, and plot to destroy you, but God has a plan. He always has a good plan for his people. Satan, our enemy, is only hanging himself. His plan will never work for he is a defeated foe.

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