3 Bible Tips: Lessons From Esther
The book of Esther tells the amazing story of God's deliverance of His people from wicked Haman (see 3 Bible Tips: Purim). What are some of the lessons we can learn from Esther?
1. Even when we can't directly see it, we can know that God is in control.
"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?… He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision… Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him" (Psalm 2:1, 4, 12; though God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, the supernatural plot twists of the book demonstrate that He is in control of events from beginning to end).
2. We should always do our part—God may have called us for just "such a time as this."
"And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: 'Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?'" (Esther 4:13-14).
3. We should pray and fast when beseeching God for help.
"Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 'Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!'" (Esther 4:15-16).
For more about Esther, see Esther: A Woman of Faith and Courage.