March 16 Refuge

Esther 7:6 And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.
 
LET’S stretch our memories to go back one month to Esther 2:7. There Esther was introduced. And we learned her Hebrew name was Hadassa, which was a tribute to Esther’s beauty. And “Hadassa” also referred to, honor and refuge.
    How Esther lived into her Hebrew name and heritage? First, we have seen that her physical beauty was the reason she was brought into the king’s harem. God used his physical gift to her as a means to put Esther in the position to speak to the king. Second, Esther honored Mordecai, her spiritual and family authority. She obeyed his urging to go before the king on this life-saving mission. She also honored her God as she called for her people to pray and to fast. Honoring the king’s authority as she lived in the harem also placed her in a god relationship with the king.
    Third, Esther became a refuge for her people as she spoke the truth of Haman’s evil. None of her beauty and honor would have mattered if she had not spoken to the king to reveal Haman’s evil intent to kill her and her people. She became a refuge for her people as she spoke the truth against the evil that had planned their destruction.
    The Bible speaks in many ways of God as a refuge. He provided cities of refuge for people to be safe from false accusations. His law gave refuge to many people in need. He is where David often went to find safety as he wrote in Psalms 31:1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! And there are the beautiful words of trusting our refuge in God from the Sons of Korah in Psalms 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.
    Will you be a refuge for your family, friends, church and neighbors? Will you speak to defend them? Will you act in honor to protect them? Will you speak against evil? Will you honor the Word of God, so people know they can be safe with you?
 
Prayer: O Lord, may I be a refuge for those you have brought into my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.