The Third Day

Read Esther 5-10
 
Esther 5:1 On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance.
 
“ON the third day” as recorded in Scripture is often a time of preparing for some significant event. The most evident is recorded in Luke 24:45 Then the Lord opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.” 
   In addition, there are about 48 references to “on the third day” throughout the Bible. Because this appears so often, surely God has a reason. Let’s examine a few, so we can understand God’s purpose with three days.
   First, life came to earth on the third day: Genesis 1:12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. Next, we see Abraham walking to Mt. Moriah at God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac: Genesis 22:4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. About 400 years later the LORD God revealed himself to his people this way: Exodus 19:11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
   Three days was the LORD’s timeframe to help King Hezekiah: 2 Kings 20:5-6 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD, 6 and I will add fifteen years to your life.’”  We turn then to Jesus’ first recorded miracle: John 2:1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. (NIV) So then, “Why the third day?”
   It seems to be the mark of life. Each account above relates to creation, commitment, healing and resurrection. Three days is a God-ordained time to bring his glory from heaven unto the earth. The consistency of the third day tells us God is constant. He works in an orderly fashion to give life.
   That certainly is what happened here in Esther 5. God revealed to Esther her task to go to the king. Just as Abraham going to Mt. Moriah, Esther turned to God to walk with God while waiting on God. She knew in one way or another God would act in his purpose. Esther faithfully called on the LORD. She knew her steps were impossible without God’s strength moving her. Her responsibility was to obey.  
   What decision is facing you today? Perhaps you can trust God to give you an answer as you commit for three days to seek his direction for your life. He is pointing the way for you to go. Do you trust him to go there?