A Series of "Fortunate" Events

We need to think differently.

This is part of our call as Christians.

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Yet we do not always do the best in this regards. What happens when we mess up?

Can God use broken people?

We know the answer is supposed to be yes. Yet, when it becomes personal the question turns from the generic to the specific.

Can God use me?

The King regrets.

As we open up chapter 2 we see that the King has finally calmed down. There is a good chance it could have been many days later, as he was busy either at war or preparing for war. He regrets what happens but does not change the situation. Others must do the work for him. The thinking of Xerxes could be in these verses, “Vashti wasn’t that bad now that I think of it”.

Be careful of regret and loneliness.

Last week we talked about being careful at the excess stuff of life. This is still true in this chapter but I think more importantly we are to remember the role of regret and loneliness may play in our choices. HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired when these are present we need to stop.

God works in mysterious ways.

This is a statement that for many who have been part of the church for a long time may know. Yet, those of you who are new to trying to follow Jesus this is a hard reality to understand.

Esther makes tough choices.

We do not get to know the motives of Esther at this time. All we see is she does almost the opposite of Daniel and his friends. She isn’t as “noble” as we would like her to be, or so it seems. The reality is we like to look at another person’s choices and immediately try to judge, right and wrong. We try to lift up characters of Scripture as either examples of conduct, or lessons to be learned about what not to do. Yet, this is not the case with the writer of Esther. He does not paint Esther in light as to help us say, “be like here”.

Sometimes life stinks.

This is exactly where Esther is. The choices she is trying to make are being made not at ideal times nor under ideal situations. No choice seems like the right choice, let alone the best choice. It is in the midst of these times in life we must remember to be empathetic towards others. This does not mean we must agree with their decision or that anything goes. Far from it. However it reminds us that we are all human.

Esther receives advice.

In the midst of trouble maybe one of the greatest qualities of Esther, the one we could start to show in our life, is her ability to receive advice. First it is with Mordecai. Then it is with Hegai. This may be the beginnings of the wisdom of Esther.

God works in the background.

This can be called his sovereignty and his providence. Both are similar concepts and both are true. We must remember that regardless of what life through our ways God can work all things out for the good and his glory. Esther had to live in very interesting times under abnormal circumstances. Yet, God is setting the stage for a greater battle and truth to be seen.