But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7 NIV
The young girl’s heart fluttered with excitement! Her sparkling brown eyes could hardly take in the beauty and opulence of the royal palace. She had grown up with unimaginable pain, losing both parents when she was very young. All known security was suddenly ripped from her until the warm hand of her cousin reached through her grief and offered her a place in his home.
Cousin Mordecai cared for young Esther with respect and love. He gave her the best he had. Nourishing food promoted her radiant complexion. He taught her to love and trust God with her life. This gave her an inner peace that could be seen in her soft eyes and quick, genuine smile.
Now, some years later, Esther had matured into a beautiful, poised, and shapely young lady, And it was in this stage of life that her beauty caught the attention of the king’s scouts. She was brought to the buildings of the royal residence, where she would enter the competition to be the new queen.
Esther’s appearance and pleasant disposition did not go unnoticed. The keeper of the women was so attracted to Esther that soon he couldn’t hide his partiality. He directed her to the very best part of the house for her year of preparation. Now, can you imagine a whole year of being pampered with oil massages and milk baths, or whatever skin and muscle treatments the Persian royals used?
It all worked! Esther was crowned the new queen of Persia.
As time passed, her cousin Mordecai’s life of honor to God deeply irritated the head prince, Haman. Haman schemed to have all the Jews killed. Mordecai laid the burden of saving her people on Esther’s shoulders. What did this young queen do? She prayed! She fasted! She got friends to fast and pray with her. She totally depended on God for wisdom to put together a plan. And He did.
Whatever our life story and whatever challenges we face, the Problem Solver is still on the throne with solutions we can’t even imagine. The story of Esther helps us realize that God gives opportunities to us – even to unlikely women in unlikely places – to see His deliverance as we depend on Him for wisdom and demonstrate a living faith in Him!
Notes of Joy © 2017 by Pacific Press Publishing Association