Star that saved the nation

Esther 4:10~17 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 maids 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. (16)

♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #91 I''ve found a friend (#91 in previous version)

Your prayer answers depend on how you think every day. If you do not let go of your resentment towards the world and people, answers will come slowly even if you pray. When you are thankful for God’s grace as you look to God’s will and plan without blaming your environment, you can receive blessings to the extent where your destiny changes. With a few great thoughts, great doors of answers will open for the children of God. Esther even put her life on the line to save the people of God. What kind of blessings did she receive?

1. Plan of God found amidst hardship
The greater the problem is; the greater blessing God has prepared. After seeing that the Israelites have been captives for a long time, Esther decided to become the king’s queen. She had discovered God’s plan to save the nation. She only made the resolution, and God raised her as the queen. When Haman attempted to kill off the Jewish people, Esther confessed with faith that God will not forsake the Israelites and made a resolution saying “if I perish, I perish.”

2. Prayer and guidance that discovered God’s will
Those who pray patiently receive God’s guidance when they proceed with their work. Mordecai requested Esther not to tell anyone that she was Jew. Esther was very careful with her words so that no one in the palace would know that she was Jew. Most importantly, Haman did not know that Esther was Jew. She asked for God’s will in prayer and wait and she invited the king to her banquet. On the last day of the banquet, she revealed Haman’s evil scheme to the king. Even in the urgent situation, the faith of patiently praying to seek God’s guidance saved the nation.

3. The way to receive great answers even in small things
Those who know the will of God and have great thoughts receive great answers even to small things that they do. Esther only spoke to the king in prayer without fighting, but all the wicked leaders including Haman got executed. The celebration of Purim started to commemorate the relief of the Jews. The power of God became known in the whole world and Mordecai was raised as the second in rank to King. Likewise, if you discover God’s plan amidst hardship, God will pour great blessings upon you.

Forum Topic
What is the mystery that kept Esther from being perturbed before the problem and being dismayed? Pray that Esther’s resolution of believing in God can become your resolution.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service / 2013.2.17