February 20 Favored or Forced?

Esther 2:16-18 And when 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, 17 the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity.
 
THE Scriptures say, “Esther was winning favor in the eyes of all who saw her.” “and she won grace and favor in (the king’s) sight more than all the virgins.” From the king and throughout his kingdom, Esther was meeting approval for her beauty.
     Here is God’s sovereign plan at work. He, the Creator, had created Esther in the beauty of a myrtle tree. He had placed her in a time to be taken into Ahasuerus’ harem. She had submitted to this circumstance.
     Then God had caused her to be favored in Persia. God’s favor seemed to overflow onto this simple girl as he had granted to her physical beauty, a loving cousin Mordecai to replace her dead parents, and a seemingly good caretaker Hegai in the king’s harem. In the favor of the King of the Kingdom of God, Esther received the favor of the King of Persia. She becomes queen from India to Africa. There is even a feast in her honor – and taxes are stopped for a day!
     This is a big deal. Esther, submissive to the king, is famous and favored. You could say Esther takes on star status. Who could have foreseen such an ordinary to extraordinary change in her life?
     In God’s sovereign plan, he is enlarging Esther’s influence. He is preparing her for his work. Here is God’s favor not only upon Esther so long ago, but this is evidence of God’s favor upon you. Esther and Mordecai are his agents of salvation in Persia. These two cousins will need a great amount of the king’s favor in the days to come. His opinion of them will make all the difference in the protection and safety of Persia’s Jews.
    
Prayer: Lord God, so many times we look at the carnal world as our source of purpose and hope. Help us to see how and where you direct us to be purposeful for you. Help us to have sufficient hope that you will strengthen us in your love to go into that purpose. In Jesus’ name, amen.