”“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 4:16New International Version (NIV)
Esther 4:16 Devotional
I will go to the king
“I will go to the king” (Esther 4:16) is the last of two amazing demonstrations of faith by Esther at a time of great crisis in Persia. And it is a faith we can emulate. For at the time, the king of Persia had published an irreversible edict to kill all Jews.
Therefore God’s chosen people were facing extermination. Actually, a person within the king’s inner circle wanted the Jews exterminated.
Consequently, Esther called all the Jews to fast for her. She too would fast together with her assistants. And this was the first demonstration of Esther’s faith in God.
Faith without actions is dead
Remember, faith without actions is dead (James 2:14-26). In other words, faith is actions. That is, faith is demonstrated in actions.
Therefore, Esther’s faith was manifested when she called for a nationwide (corporate) fast. And we know that there is no fasting without prayer – Praying and fasting are interwoven.
This, therefore, implies that it is more important to fast, pray, and wait upon God before you embark on anything. This is the best way to involve God in your situation.
Don’t stop at the first action
Finally, once the three days were done, Esther planned to go to the king. She had to follow through with the fasting that the Jews and her assistants had joined her in.
Despite going to the king being unlawful, Esther left her fate and future in the hands of God. Consequently, the Bible records her going to the king and succeeding in her mission.
So once you are done with fasting and praying, it will be time to make your move – “you will go”. By then, your move (actions) and the outcome of the same will be in the hands of God.
God may even inform you of the specifics (including timing) of your move. This is because fasting and prayer increase your sensitivity to hearing God. And just like Esther who changed the history of the world in 72 hours, you will be able to impact your walk/journey of faith and the lives of others.
Moreover, you may have to make your move in spite of the personal danger. In other words, you will have to leave your fate and future in the hands of God. God will lead and you only have to trust in His leading.
Prayer/Blessing
May God’s grace continue to abound to you as you approach your “I will go” moment. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Matthew 21-22 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
