Dear One,
Greetings to you in the precious name of Jesus! Today I continue
to share with you the beautiful lessons from my journey through the book of
Esther which is packed with amazing and life-changing lessons. As always, my
greatest desire is that you will be blessed by these lessons and be challenged
to act on them. I also urge you to read the chapters from your Bible so that
you may gain better insight into the story of Esther as we continue this
journey together.
Esther 4: This is the story of Mordecai’s request to Esther
the Queen to plead with the King on behalf of the Jews who were about to be annihilated
by Haman.
What can we learn from this chapter?
Vs 16b: Am I willing to die for the cause of others? Esther
was already a Queen, free from any harm or consequences of Haman’s decree. After
all, no one knew her true identity. However, she did not keep quiet whilst the
lives of her people were under threat. She dared to risk her life for her
people.
Mordecai himself could have hidden under the shadow of
Esther and not bothered much about being killed but instead he mourned for the
lives of his people. This mourning was not crying alone. It must have included
prayer and supplication as well. Nigeria is going through many challenges as a
nation. I may not be affected, but am I on my knees praying for my country?
V 13-14: God places me in a place for a purpose. He doesn’t
just place me there to enjoy and just occupy space. He has a special purpose
for me. I must never take where God places me for granted. However, when God
elevates me and I immediately get there and forget Him/His purpose, He will
raise another person who will fulfill purpose and I will no more be His vessel
unto honor. I must be careful not to forget God when I become elevated. In fact,
without Him I am NOTHING.
V 14: God always places people who will counsel and caution
me from making excuses or from shying away from what God wants me to do. In v11
Esther seemed to be afraid of approaching the king because of the consequences
involved but Mordecai had to speak sense to her and remind her that God had
placed her there to fulfill purpose. And knowing Esther as an obedient woman,
she listened and saved her people in the long run.
V15: I must always fortify myself with prayer before doing
anything. Here, prayer and fasting is exhibited. Esther fasted and prayed with
her maids and asked Mordecai and other Jews to do same as well. She knew she
was about to risk her life, but she was prepared to do so and did so in/through
prayer. I must always prepare myself for everything in/through personal prayer
and collective prayer as well.
This chapter emphasizes prayer a great deal. It is a
challenge to rise up and fight our battles in prayer. Where has God placed you?
You are there for a purpose. It doesn’t matter if He has placed you in a
classroom with your juniors, or a distant place for NYSC, or an environment
where darkness abounds. He knows exactly why He has placed you there. Do not be
surprised because the survival of many lives may just depend on your courage
and obedience to God.
I hope you are blessed.
In Christ,
Ishanpepe.
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