Have you ever prayed, “God, guide me in the right direction?” only to end up stumped? Confused, as you ponder the details surrounding your situation?
Take heart, the Bible lays out for us a beautiful picture of how our story weaves together with those around us to form connections that point only to a sovereign God.
Xerxes
The story of Esther begins with a drunk king, Xerxes, acting like a petulant child when the Queen does not obey. He heeds the advice of men who reveal that, ultimately, they are scared women would start to stand up for themselves in similar fashion. Their advice? Simple, banish her and take away her crown. In the second chapter, he seems to regret his hasty decision.
Mordecai & Esther
Here, we meet Hadassah and Mordecai, Israelite exiles from a time when God allowed neighboring countries to overtake Israel as punishment for disobedience. In typical form much like Daniel, a new name was granted to Hadassah: Esther. This is a key part of the story that we do not want to overlook. Later on, we see the weight this value carries, she is not known to be a Jew because her name does not reveal her heritage. Had this simple name change not occurred, the story would be vastly different. It is a key component to seeing God’s hand in the inner workings of the little details.
She was pretty, dutiful, and amenable. Not often do we think that God will use beauty as an element to His plan but He does here. She gets early beauty treatments, special food, and her own attendants. Her disposition was immediately apparent and we see it drew people in, as well as the king.
The story then unfolds with Mordecai saving the king from an assassination. We read he does not even receive a thank you at this time. Xerxes does, however, witness the event being recorded in the annals with proper recognition of Mordecai.
Haman
In the next chapter we meet Haman, an extremely high-ranking official cemented to his hatred of Mordecai. Similar to Xerxes, he is immediately angered when abject obedience is not offered. Mordecai refuses to bow down to him for Jewish reasons. Haman takes his hatred to another level and it completely envelops him, to the point that he despises and wants to annihilate the entire Jewish population.
For such a time as this…
We learn about his plot and that Esther is afraid to approach Xerxes for fear of her life. Through Mordecai, we see that anguish is okay to express and feel as we traverse through life. He guides Esther with a foundation of God’s sovereignty:
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place.
Esther 4:14a, NIV
He knew God would save them but encouraged Esther to consider that her position may have been purposed for this exact moment in time.
And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14b, NIV
It is an amazing witness to see his faith shine through his advice. It leads us to a better understanding of the role he played in Esther’s life in raising her with this groundwork.
Weaving together…
Enter now, the value of Esther heeding to Mordecai’s advice to protect her heritage. Haman has no idea that the Queen is of the same heritage of the people he wants to destroy. Xerxes and Haman are invited to dine with the Queen.
The little details of this book are amusing to take note of. After having been terrified to approach him, he offers her up to half the kingdom. One would assume the segue offered would naturally offer her the confidence to ask him at that time to save her people. For whatever reason, she chooses instead to extend a second invitation for yet another banquet.
We find out the reason given is not known except that God used it to work a wondrous weaving in the background. In the time between the two banquets, Haman:
- is infuriated now that Mordecai refuses to bow AND is not fearful of him;
- boasts about his status;
- obtains his friends’ and family’s support of his evil intentions to murder Mordecai; and
- even goes so far as to build a gallows.
In the other story line happening between the two banquets, King Xerxes:
- is unable to sleep;
- requests the reading of the stories of his reign;
- is reminded of the assassination plot that Mordecai exposed; and
- realized Mordecai had gone without any honor or recognition.
The story lines converge as Haman faces utter humiliation as the forerunner of requesting the city to praise him. After that we find that Esther’s time has come, and the wrongs are made right:
- the Jews fight back;
- the Haman is hanged;
- his estate is transferred to Esther;
- Haman’s 10 sons die during the battles;
- Mordecai gets promoted;
- the Jews were saved; and
- the Jews celebrated their salvation from annihilation annually.
God, guide me in the right direction…
As a takeaway, we may not understand the purpose for the little details in our life. Why doesn’t God answer our prayers in our timing? Why didn’t we receive that promotion? Why did an evil person rise in rank and stature? In a book that does not mention God, we rest secure seeing Him as an undercurrent throughout the entire story.
In other words, every detail of our lives has value whether or not we choose to attribute them to God. He will use our lives to mesh with and converge with others to further His kingdom and bring Him glory. It may be frustrating at times to not understand, but we would do well to have the faith of Mordecai in trusting that God is sovereign and in control of EVERY aspect of our life.
So go ahead and pray “God, guide me in the right direction” with confidence!
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I identify so strongly with Esther in her decision making angst, and her request that those around her fast with her and participate in the waiting. Just yesterday, I had to make a very routine and boring decision about canceling a meeting, and the by the amount of agonizing I did, you’d have thought the fate of a nation was at stake.
God certainly knows what he’s doing when he comes alongside us and guides us. I have a lot to learn about the waiting process.
“In other words, every detail of our lives has value whether or not we choose to attribute them to God.” What a true statement. Thank you so much for sharing!