Take Hold of Determination
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
Great and Almighty Father, Lord of the heavens and the earth, You watch over Your children. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4).
We have seen Your sovereign hand throughout the course of human history, sustaining, protecting, defending Your people as You guide all of life—all that was, all that is and all that will ever be towards Your plan, Your purpose, Your will. And You equip those You call, Lord, and use them in ways great or small, obvious or muted, to accomplish what You please (Hebrews 13:20).
This was Your requirement of Esther, as You raised her up to save a nation, in an unlikely role as Queen in a land of exile—surrounded by capricious power and hostile influences. As her people faced the threat of annihilation, her guardian-cousin Mordecai asked her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people (Esther 4:8). Esther explained to Mordecai the great peril of such an action:
“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives..." (Esther 4:11).
Mordecai's response challenged his ward to consider her mission in the royal role she had been given (Esther 4:12-14). Esther gained new perspective, and a new determination to accept the enormous risk.
Oh Father, we too, have been given a role and a mission. We too, live as foreigners and strangers (Hebrews 11:13) in the midst of volatile power structures and hostile forces. You may not have called us to save a nation, but You have called us to be harvest workers for Your kingdom, to sow seeds of hope into a world full of sin and despair.
As we seek to do Your will, and obey Your leading, help us not to be deterred when the path holds danger or uncertainty. When we face obstacles, or perils, or risks—when fear threatens to take hold of us—help us to take hold of determination, and resolve, and an unshakeable reliance on Your Spirit and Your power.
Keep us focused on the mission You have raised us up to assume. Send us wise counsel to lend us perspective. Surround us with those who will help us seek Your face. Help us to trust in Your deliverance and victory.
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