By Shirley Rosemarie Evans
So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti
Esther 2:16 NKJV
As a child, many of my experiences were shaped by the knowledge that I was a favourite. Favourite with my mother, favourite with my teachers, even with my peers. If you asked me ‘why?’ I would say that I was what is known as “a good kid.” I was bright and a keen student, I was polite, and all my years at school I can only recall at most two occasions where I got into trouble. I was just that kind of child. Being a favourite meant that I was often chosen to carry out additional tasks, I would be asked to stay behind to sort books or be given special projects all of which earned me the well-known title “teacher’s pet.”
In the Bible story of Esther, we are told that the “king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favour.” Those familiar with Esther’s story will know that Esther was a young orphan beautiful, but a Jewish slave living in exile. She was chosen by God and positioned in the royal house, and at every step of her journey she found favour: favour with the custodian in charge of the women’s house, favour with everyone else who saw her and finally favour with the king. He made her queen. Esther then heard of the plot to kill the Jews; she called a nationwide fast. She sought God before she went to the king. To go before the king unsolicited was to risk being put to death but once again Esther found favour. The king held out the royal sceptre the sign that she could approach, she now had his ear and was able to set a plan in motion to save her people. Even though she must have known she had favour with the king, she did not dare approach until she first sought God’s favour. God is the source of favour, and favour with God will give us favour with man “Then you will find favour with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.” (Proverbs 3:4.)
Grace and favour are often used interchangeably in scripture, or as in this passage they are used together, almost as if where grace is found, the favour will follow. Favour with God can be described as tangible evidence that God approves of us, it means that we can be trusted and just like a favourite child or favourite student, we will be used by God to carry out His purposes. Favour positions us in the right place in the right season. Noah found favour with God, and he was called to build an ark in the middle of the desert. Esther found favour and she was positioned in the palace to save her people. Mary found favour and she was chosen at just the right time, in the right place fulfilling the Old Testament scriptures to bring forth the Saviour who would save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21).
May we through God’s grace likewise receive favour and be positioned to accomplish the will of God here on the earth.
Ask: Why would God choose to use Esther a young orphan and a slave to boot to extend grace and favour to?
Seek: Where has God positioned you? Are you experiencing His favour and are you faithfully completing His assignment?
Knock: Do you have a difficult decision to make? Or do you feel God leading you to a kingdom assignment that is way bigger than you? Perhaps this is the season to earnestly fast and pray for fresh directions. Ask others to fast with you then ask God for the boldness of Esther to carry out His plans.
(Upper Photo by Natalie Thornley on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Church of the King on Unsplash)
