Oct 23., 2023 / Blog
BE BOLD! BE COURAGEOUS!
I want to open this article with three questions for your consideration… Can you think of a time someone’s encouragement helped you overcome fear so that you could do something you knew needed to be done? Is there someone you could encourage right now? What’s one step you can take to defeat discouragement?
We’re jumping into the middle of Esther’s story in chapter 4, so let’s catch up: Esther, a Jew, had been made queen after the Persian King Xerxes was displeased with his previous wife. Haman, King Xerxes’ right-hand man, hated Mordecai, Esther’s uncle because Mordecai had refused to bow to him. Haman extended that hate out to all Jews and stretched some truth to convince King Xerxes that all Jews should be killed. The king, due to some misplaced trust and bad information, agreed.
In Esther 4, Mordecai challenges Esther to use her position as queen to save the Jews. Her hesitation makes sense since she was only in her position because the king had dismissed his last wife, and he hadn’t called to see her in a whole month. Would he even let her talk to him? She could literally lose her life just by coming to see the king without being summoned.
Esther’s courage in the face of potential death didn’t come out of thin air. Two things seem to have convinced her to take action even though she feared for her life: a good pep talk and support from her team. If you play sports or have watched any sports movies, you can imagine the scene: The coach or captain gives an inspiring speech reminding the team of the reason they need to get back out there even when they’re down. The team has a moment as a group that brings them together and assures them that however things turn out, they are in it together and can trust each other out there.
Esther has a similar experience. Once Mordecai’s message convinces her she needs to go to the king, she needs support. She asks those closest to her to join her in a fast to prepare for the moment she goes to see the king. Esther also asks Mordecai to ask everyone he can to join them too… and they do.
Mordecai’s words in 4:14 not only inspired Esther to act but have inspired many others to act despite their fears for generations after. The word “encourage” comes from the idea to give courage. We see Esther’s boldness in how she is willing to go to the king and in how she prepares. We see Mordecai’s boldness when he gives courage to his niece to use what she has for the good of the people.
Our Heavenly Father used unlikely people to accomplish something great. He did it then through Esther and Mordecai. He is looking to do great things with you and me now. We’ve got some work to do! Praise God! He will empower us through the Holy Spirit to do the same things Jesus Messiah did and even greater. Let’s go!
Abiding in His grace and truth,
Pastor Christopher
