They That Wait Upon the Lord

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As our text begins, this morning, Esther finds herself in a place in life that she never thought she would ever be.

We left Esther at a cliffhanger moment in the story. Tension is building, as in any great epic - there are a series of cliffhangers.

Haman’s genocidal plot was passed on to Esther the queen of Persia. The genocide was birthed in Haman’s heart and mind because of the single action of one single man - Mordecai. Mordecai would not bow to this ego … and Haman was so filled with hatred that he decided it wasn’t enough to punish Mordecai alone … no, the whole Jewish people had to pay - the entire Jewish race, spread throughout all 127 provinces of the Persian Empire, they will have to pay with their lives.

Now Mordecai isn’t just the focus of the hatred here - he is also the only one who understands all of the implications … including the implications for the queen herself - the younger cousin whom he raised himself, as a daughter. He passes the information on to her. But when Esther hears the news about the edict … she doesn’t see the implications of the genocide to herself.

Esther hears the news about the edict … but doesn’t see the implications of the genocide to herself. She is tempted to stand aside and do nothing, which is kind of understandable, since really, what is she supposed to do? She may be queen, but she certainly doesn’t hold the power in the Kingdom. In fact, she knows that if she just saunters into the king’s presence, unannounced, she faces the death penalty - doesn’t matter if she’s the queen or the janitor … unless the king holds out his scepter and welcomes her in - she’s dead. And to make things worse - he hasn’t called for her in over a month. For all she knows, he’s moved on and found another love to share his bed with. So she’s terrified.

She is tempted to stand aside and do nothing, which is kind of understandable, since really, what is she supposed to do? She may be queen, but she certainly doesn’t hold the power in the Kingdom. In fact, she knows that if she just saunters into the king’s presence, unannounced, she faces the death penalty - doesn’t matter if she’s the queen or the janitor … unless the king holds out his scepter and welcomes her in - she’s dead. And to make things worse - he hasn’t called for her in over a month. For all she knows, he’s moved on and found another love to share his bed with. So she’s terrified.

This is where Mordecai responds with his powerful words in chapter 4:14, “… if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. AND WHO KNOWS WHETHER YOU HAVE NOT COME TO THE KINGDOM FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS?!”

Esther is caught on the horns of a dilemma: not do anything and maybe save yourself, but watch your entire people be annihilated … or try to step in and likely be executed yourself in the process. What will she choose?

Chapter 4 ends with her decision: “I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”

She gives instructions to be sent to Mordecai. They are going to fast for three days (fasting which always includes prayer). Esther will not move without prayer. But she will, prayerfully, move. What a lesson for us.

She gives instructions to be sent to Mordecai. They are going to fast for three days (fasting which always includes prayer). Esther will not move without prayer. But she will, prayerfully, move. What a lesson for us.

One of my favorite verses - one that I have clung to, over and over and over again in life … when the day seems too much to survive, when the pain of trials seems too much to endure … a verse that God takes me back to, so often … is . I still love it best in the beautiful flow of the Old King James, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.”

On this Thanksgiving morning, you are here and you know, “I’m supposed to be thankful always, especially today. And I know that I have so much to thank God for … but to be honest … today I’m barely making it and I’m having a hard time getting the thanks out … I’m just overwhelmed with this life ...” “Run and not be weary?! I’m just trying not to faint.”

I don’t know what your struggle is - -

Chapter 4 leaves us with 3 days: Esther and all the Jews, fasting and praying, preparing for her to go and face the king who seems to have the fate of the entire nation, in the palm of his hands.

And chapter 5 begins.

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, “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace.”

All of Esther’s life has led up to this point. For five years now, she has lived the life of a queen. She has walked the hallways of power … but it has never really belonged to her. She has always been passive - when the king calls - she goes; when he doesn’t - she stays away.

Esther has let go of her life. In making the decision that she would go and face the king, uninvited … she has not just made the decision to let go of her position as queen, she hasn’t just let go of her place in the comfort, the security and protection of the harem … she has let go of her very life. “If I perish, I perish.”

Esther has let go of her life. In making the decision that she would go and face the king, uninvited … she has not just made the decision to let go of her position as queen, she hasn’t just let go of her place in the comfort, the security and protection of the harem … she has let go of her very life. “If I perish, I perish.”

This is the very thing Jesus says is necessary for all of His followers. “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross DAILY and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

See Esther on this pivotal day of her life, with her handmaid helping her to prepare, she gets dressed and fits the robes of royalty over her shoulders - embroidered with imported fine gold, a fine silk dress encrusted with precious stones, and pearls brought all the way from Africa. The fine gold crown goes on her head and then she steps into her extravagantly expensive shoes.

Now, with her handmaid helping her to prepare, she gets dressed and fits the robes of royalty over her shoulders - embroidered with imported fine gold, a fine silk dress encrusted with precious stones, and pearls brought all the way from Africa. The fine gold crown goes on her head and then she steps into her extravagantly expensive shoes.

Surely, all the while, Esther must be haunted by the question assaulting her thoughts: “Is this the last time?” “Is this it for my privileged life? Is this it for my life itself?”

The man sitting on the throne had a famously volatile personality … one moment he will throw a party and insist that everyone have whatever they want and as much as they want - money no object … and the next minute he will depose his queen because she refused to dance when he said dance.

Which mood will she meet today? It’s been 30 days since the king has called for her … has she lost his heart? Is he angry with her about something? Has he found pleasure in the arms of another? Queen Vashti had been deposed because she didn’t come when he called. Will I be executed because I came when I WASN’T called?!

She walks the hallway of the palace, to the inner court of the king - gold encrusted sandals making a metallic ‘click’ on the exquisite tile of the mosaic floor.

Arriving at the entrance to the inner court, she has come to a massive place, 36 columns soaring 65 feet high - every aspect of the design screams power, shouting the message: “The King is great, you are small; he has the power of life and death over you.”

And Esther pauses, in the shadows, unseen, hidden by one of the massive pillars. From here, she can see her husband, sitting on his gilded throne, deep in thought, a furrow pressed into his forehead. There are guards around him, people in his presence tasked with advising and protecting him. But nobody is talking.

She takes a few deep breaths, trying to slow the pace of her frantically beating heart.

Then it comes back to mind: she has been fasting - seeking the Lord for 3 days. Her servant girls have been seeking the Lord with her. And Mordecai has rounded up all of the Jews in Susa - together they have been fasting for 3 days. Everything that could have been done, has been done .... now it’s time.

“If I perish, I perish”.

Esther stands tall, straightens her shoulders, takes one more deep breath … and steps forward to her uncertain destiny -

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Verse 2, “And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court ...”. This is the pivotal moment of this pivotal day … and it unfolds almost in slow motion … ‘when the king saw Queen Esther, standing in the court ...”

There is a disturbance in the throne room, someone has dared to enter this most-hallowed space in the kingdom WITHOUT an invitation?! The startled king looks up, clearly irritated at the disturbance. “Who could this be?”

And in the moment between the startling and the recognition - Esther’s life hangs in the balance like never before. The royal guardsman beside the king tightens his grip around the axe in his hands.

his grip around the axe in his hands.

Verse 2 continues ....

“And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court … she won favor in his sight … and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.”

.... “And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court … she won favor in his sight … and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.”

When he recognizes his queen, stepping out of the shadows, waiting for his verdict … the king’s face clears, his frown fades and he reaches for his golden scepter, pointing the tip precisely in Esther’s direction … She fights with all of her strength to stay on her feet and not faint in relief … and steadily, restraining herself from running to the scepter … she steadily paces to the king’s outstretched arm and reaches for the symbol of his authority and power - she touches the scepter’s tip.

“SHE WON FAVOR IN HIS SIGHT”! I love that. It wasn’t anything that Esther did - she hasn’t sweet-talked her way to his favor with her flowery flattery - she hasn’t said a thing. She hasn’t done anything to please him - he has only just recognized her standing there … no, Esther WON favor in the sight of Ahasuerus - because God made him favorable. Do you see that in our text? In this book where God is not even named … You would have to blind not to see that He is at work, in the silence, in the shadows … God is working and He has made the heart of the pagan king to favor the very wife he hasn’t even called on for a whole month. This is God at work.

Reminds me of the very important verse in : “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” Isn’t this a perfect explanation of what has just happened in our text this morning?!

Do you see what that means for you, Christian?

There is no king, no nation, no superpower in this world, or in the spiritual realm that we can’t see with our eyes … not Satan himself, who has ever caught God off guard, has ever made him work up a sweat. Not ever.

God alone is on the throne of the universe - and does all things according to the pleasure of His Will.

God has it all under control. Oh how we need to hear that.

What’s your biggest fear right now? and and the entire unified testimony of the whole Bible says - - - “Your God can handle that fear”. He can handle the government, He can handle your boss, your career plans, your spouse, your child, your ex … He can handle it all.”

They that WAIT UPON THE LORD shall renew their strength.

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THE KING’S FAVOR, vv. 3-8

See the favor of the king in vv. 3-8 -

See the favor of the king in vv. 3-8 -

“And the king said to her, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to half of my kingdom.’ (4) And Esther said, ‘If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.’ (5) Then the king said, ‘Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.’ So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. (6) And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, ‘What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.’ (7) Then Esther answered, ‘My wish and my request is: (8) If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.’”

What an amazing greeting by the king. This volatile man who could just as easily have you executed as hug you … he sees Esther and his face lights up and do you see how he greets her? Not ‘hi’ … not, ‘I’ve been meaning to call you’ … not even, ‘What are you going to nag me about now ...?’ He greets her with an offer: “What would you like? Ask me for anything … even up to half of my kingdom.”

That’s not him saying …

… “Ask me for something and I’ll have the imperial accountant check the value of your request against the value of the assets of Persia … if it is up to 50 percent of the kingdom, you can have it, but if it’s 50 percent plus 1 dollar - you’re out of luck.” No, this is a way of saying: “The sky is the limit. I want to give you a gift so large it will make your head spin. So ask me for something MASSIVE!”

So here’s Esther’s chance … clearly she’s found her husband in a good mood … now’s the time to pounce! We’ve all been there - when you’re a teenager, wanting to borrow the good family car to go out for a special occasion with your friends. You want the GOOD car - not the beater that every parent buys for the kids to train on and bump into things with .... you want the NICE car in the house .... You know that it’s going to be a tough sell - because dad babies that car and you already know the rules - that you’re not ready for the good car ...

There’s a week before the special dinner … a week to find a way to ask. You practice everything … you have the perfect speech prepared, that goes into your great respect for mom and dad’s hard work and how important it is to you for them to know your great honor for them and the car that dad cares for so much … and your assurance that you will be home by 10 and you will guard the car with your life and obey all the posted traffic signs … you practice your speech and practice speaking in measure tones, so that you don’t seem too excited so as to be perceived as careless. And you wait for the right opportunity.

Nothing … nothing … nothing … then one day, Dad comes home from work happy - bringing home pizza for supper and joking around … and as soon as he asks you about your day .... all the practice goes out the window, the speech is all forgotten … this is it - he’s in the right mood - so you blurt out in one highway speed question, “Dad, can I borrow the good car next week - I promise to be careful”!

You’ve got to strike while the iron’s hot.

Here’s Esther’s chance - the king wants to know what she wants - offers an extravagant gift … and Esther says .... “Bring Haman and come for dinner.”

V. 4, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.”

What’s with the delay? Esther, what are you doing?! The fate of the entire people of God is hanging in the balance here. Why don’t you take down Haman right here and now?!” Oh, but see Esther’s confidence. She doesn’t need to hurry. She has been waiting on the Lord. She trust in HIM to work. And if it’s the sovereign God, who’s working out the greatest crisis in your life .... you don’t need to rush.

In my own life, one of the biggest challenges I face is running ahead of the Lord. There’s something that needs to be fixed … someone who needs correcting … I’ve got to say something. “I can’t believe that he actually thinks that

(there’s no place where this is more relevant than on social media)

“Somebody’s got to step in and defend God and truth, here!” Ummm - no they don’t. God has this under control. He’s working right now. What God wants is people who will get on their knees and seek His face … and then, after they’ve waited on Him … THEN get up off their knees and follow His lead. - patiently.”

And it just so happens, that while Esther and the rest of the Jews in Susa have been fasting … Esther has also been in the kitchen with her servants - preparing for this very moment, by preparing a feast. Now that, incidentally, is pretty impressive - what’s the worst time to be in the kitchen, with the smell of delicious food being prepared? It’s when you’re hungry, of course. Esther, fasting for 3 days, cooking up a feast … that’s a strong woman right there.

“So bring Haman and please come for dinner.” And you can see how God has the king wrapped around Esther’s finger: she gives the invitation and this god-man king in his own eyes, jumps up, in v. 5 and says, “YES! .... Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.”

… and suddenly the woman who moments before was unsure if the king was going to execute her … now she is the one calling the shots - She’s in control. Actually, that’s not right. Esther isn’t in control - the God who is working all things out for the good of His people - He is in control. The king’s heart - like a stream of water in the hand of the Lord.

Dinner is done, the food is eaten, and Esther and her guests are reclined on couches, goblets filled with wine .... The king hasn’t had so much to drink that he forgets - Esther still hasn’t told him what she wanted.

Verse 6, “… the king said to Esther, ‘What IS your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”

And what does she ask for? Verse 7, “My wish and my request is: (8) If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and TOMORROW I will do as the king has said” - “Let’s have another feast tomorrow ...”

Still, Esther won’t rush. There’s no impatience here. In fact, doesn’t it almost seem like she’s stalling? Is she nervous? Getting cold feet?

No, THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD … will renew their strength.

Esther has prepared herself, by seeking God in a fast, she has come up with a plan and now she is walking in faith ...

And really this is a brilliant plan, if she can trust in God’s faithful working. You see, if Esther had pounced as soon as the king offered to give her whatever she wanted … he could easily have laughed and deflected to something else … there would only be the handful of people in the throne room who would have even heard her plea for her people. But Esther is playing the long game, walking in faith in God and reeling the king in, feast after feast. She has given him one invitation and one banquet - and he’s given her nothing. By the time she gives him a second banquet and finally tells him what she wants - how can he possibly say ‘no’? Everyone in Susa would hear about it - he would lose face. This is like a game of chess. All the pieces have to be in place.

This is Esther, waiting on the Lord -

In my own life, one of the best

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ANOTHER UNEXPECTED TWIST vv. 9-14

“Let the king and

Another banquet! A party for only 3. Well Haman certainly is loving this new lifestyle.

Verse 9, “And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s get, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.”

Haman practically skips out the door of the queen’s residence, and into the king’s gate, outside the palace entrance - He’s on top of the world. Nobody else in the whole empire gets an honor like this.

.... but suddenly, his happiness evaporates like _________.

There, in the king’s gate, is that thorn in his flesh, Mordecai, the Jew. Everyone in sight rises to attention, or bows in homage, or in some way trembles with respect and fear in the presence of thiis second most powerful man in the whole empire … everyone except Mordecai. He doesn’t stand, doesn’t even flinch - doesn’t even acknowledge him.

And Haman can’t handle the disrespect. Put his head down hurries home - and as soon as he walks in the door of his own, personal mansion - surrounded by his wife and friends - he vents his spleen.

“I’ve got so much going for me … money/ power/ status … but there is no pleasure in any of it - as long as that Jew, Mordecai, keeps disrespecting me.” “I can’t handle this.”

, “Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ‘Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast ...”

Wow! A gallows 75 feet feet high - that’s like two and half times as tall as my house. That’s as massive as Haman’s overblown ego. People for miles will be able to see his enemy dangling.

“The date’s already been set when you can exterminate Mordecai and his entire race … But why wait?! You’re frustrated now - - get rid of Mordecai NOW - and make an example of him while you’re at it!”

See how the chapter ends,

, “… This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.”

SEE THE CONTRAST

Esther - waits upon the Lord - fasts before she does anything and then walks patiently along the pathway as God leads - never hurried, never panicking …

Haman - doesn’t wait upon the Lord - He’s driven by his pride and his passions … and there is no satisfaction here. No rest.

Here we are given a choice between two pathways in life.

On this Thanksgiving Sunday -

ANOTHER UNEXPECTED TWIST vv. 9-14