March 6 Prepared to Answer

Esther 5:3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.”
 
IS the king a new man? King Ahasuerus has honored Esther! He has called her by her title. He has also spoken the generous language of his culture. With the words “to the half of my kingdom” he expresses an eagerness to offer to Esther all she requires. How has this self-focused man become so agreeable, especially as Esther has entered into his presence uninvited? Remember, it was against the king’s own law to come to him so unexpectedly.
     Do you believe the king’s attitude was the result of Esther’s, Mordecai’s and the Jews’ fasting and prayer? Certainly we see in the king’s honoring invitation a fruit of the petitions to the King of Heaven. As we easily believe God created the heavens and the earth, so we should quickly understand God has created for that moment a gentle heart in the King of Persia. He has done so to preserve the lives of his own people.
     In this pagan king, God has given to us a picture of his power to change hearts to his purpose that he may welcome us to Heaven’s throne room. Matthew Henry, 18th century commentator on the Bible, offers us these thoughts on the contrast of Esther before the King of Persia and you before he King of Kings:
     “Esther came to a proud imperious man; we come to the God of love and grace. She was not called; we are: ‘the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ and let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ (Revelation 22:17) Esther had a law against her; we have a promise, many a promise, in favor of us: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you.’ (Matthew 7:7) She had no friend to introduce her, or no one to intercede for her; but we have an advocate with the Father, One in whom he is well pleased (Luke 3:22). ‘Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:16) (from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible)
     This is a beautiful picture of our place in the throne room of God. We can pleasantly, joyfully, hopefully, lovingly go to the King of Kings. In his assurance, we will be welcomed not with half a worldly kingdom but fully into the Kingdom of Heaven! Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 
    
Prayer: O thank you, Father, that you are such a king to serve us with your Savior and our Spirit. Grant us favor that we may come eagerly to you to dwell in your kingdom forever. Amen.