Lately I have been thinking about how I fight my ‘battles’ and what does courage look like in the face of what is going on all around us. The focus of this month for me has been courageous prayer and fasting as I participate in the season of lent. I have been reading through The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. A good read to help one focus their prayer life. Some people would define courage as the absence of fear. I would say that it is not only the absence of fear, but the presence of peace. I find this to be true in the story of Queen Esther.
Queen Esther curiously found her way into her position. The first queen was dethroned for her disobedience and Queen Esther came into her role through obedience, not because of her background, but because of her beauty. In the midst of her reign, the queen’s life and her Jewish family were sentenced to die because of a cruel edict from a prideful commander, Haman. (History repeats itself.) Esther’s position as queen would not be able to save her, only her position of prayer and petition to the King. She had been given this role for such a time as this. She called all her people to fast and she herself fasted for three days, in preparation to go before the King to plead for her people. (Going before the King without being summoned could cost her her life.) After prayer and fasting, she went before her King to request a banquet with the King and his commander Haman. She started to prepare and then at just the right time she would expose the cruel plans of Haman and ask for the her life and the lives of the Jews to be spared. You can read the book of Esther to find the amazing ending.
As I re-read this story, I am reminded about the extreme power of the King and his wicked commander Haman, and extremely inspired by the courage of Queen Esther. Her courage came through after three days of prayer and fasting. Her courage came to her at just the proper time. In the battles of life, our weakness is typically exposed, in order for us to go to the one who will give us peace. God will provide the protection and provision of His peace. He will give us the courage at just the right time!
Peace for our Time
Philippians 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.