MARCH 19, Esther 5:1-8

On the third day, Esther did as she had promised. There was no hesitation. She put on her royal garments, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house. Esther was very brave and courageous. With every step that she took towards the king’s house, her heart must have been beating very quickly, and her mind full of many things. But she kept moving forward. Esther was resolved that if she were to perish, so be it. Her call was to intercede for her people before the king. Come what may, she would still go. What gave Esther this strength and courage?

The purpose of fasting is to have an uninterrupted stretch of time in prayer that crosses over meal times. A person is so grieved or troubled that he only desires to pray to God. Eating is not even on his mind. Esther had spent the past 3 days fasting and praying. This spiritually strengthened and renewed her for the task ahead. Maybe you are picturing Esther sitting in a room with a very sad appearance, and doing nothing but pray for 3 days.

Yes, Esther fasted and prayed. But she didn’t just pray and not do anything else. Esther was also up and about, preparing and planning carefully what to say to the king.

Thank God that He answered the prayers of Esther and the Jews! Esther obtained favour from the king and he held out the golden sceptre to her. Esther knew exactly what to say when the king asked for her request. She invited the king and Haman to a banquet she had been busy preparing for the past 3 days. At this banquet, she would invite both of them to another banquet the next day where she would reveal her Jewish identity and Haman’s evil deed. The plan was well thought out and not hasty to spill the beans.

We ought to earnestly pray and seek the Lord for help but what we do after that is equally important. We cannot just sit there and do nothing. We must pray and also do our part. Do you expect your loved one to suddenly become a Christian without your being a good witness? Or your friend to unexpectedly receive help when you don’t lift a finger? Let’s not only pray, but also be stirred up to do our part.

Thought: “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5

Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for Esther’s example which teaches me to pray and to also be stirred up to action. Strengthen my faith and quicken me to do Your bidding. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.