Esthers Plan

Esther's Plan Usually, when we know we must do something, we settle in and do it. If the situation presents itself without enough time to plan, we see what needs to be done and do it. Often when we look back, we know we needed to plan better. For how we responded was not what it should have been. In the book of Esther book, we read about a young woman who knew how to plan, and her name was Esther. She was King Ahasuerus's wife and was also a Jew, although her husband, the King, had no idea of her ancestry. One day Esther found out through her cousin Mordecai there was a plot to assassinate all the Jews in the surrounding areas. This plot had come from inside the castle, and Mordecai wanted Esther to go to the King about it in hopes he would stop the order to have them all killed. Now in that time, there was a custom in which one could not go to the King unless one were called for. To do so meant that unless the King decided to show you favor, you would be killed. Mordecai knew time was running out for the Jewish people, including himself and Esther, and he asked her to go to the King even though she wouldn't have been called for. Esther's response at first was that she couldn't because the King had not called for her. Mordecai reminded Esther that perhaps she was Queen for a reason- to help set the people free. He also reminded her this plot also meant her life was in danger because she also was a Jew. Upon hearing this, Esther decided the only thing she could do was what Mordecai had asked, and that was to go to the King. In verses 15-17, we read: "Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai. 'Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus, I will go into the King, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.' So, Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him." It ended up that the King did show Esther favor and did not kill her. Through a few events, she then exposed the person who had the plan to assassinate all the Jews, and she could openly say she was also a Jew. The King then put a stop to the plan, and the Jewish people were saved. All of this happened because of one woman who dared to risk her life and go against the law for what was right- for her people. Another thing to remember is that not only did Esther, as we read, take this risk, but ahead of time, she asked people to fast for three days and nights, and she and her maidens would do the same. She knew the severity of this mission- she knew the danger involved, and above all, knew she needed covering. She knew the prayers and fasting of the people were what was required before going forward. How smart of her not to go ahead too quickly, but to take time and involve fasting and prayer. I do not believe she asked for prayer to show her if she was to do this or not, but rather prayer and fasting were for protection. For favor with the King and for saving the people, and that is what she received. The people who were covering her were the same people she was to save. You see, too often, we can react too quickly – to see the goal and move ahead. We fail to take the necessary time for fasting and prayer. We fail to ask others around us to fast and pray for us before we move forward. The Bible does not tell us to pray if we feel like it, but rather it tells us many times, "When you pray…" You see, everything we do needs to be covered in prayer, in fasting, and involving Godly people around us. We are the body of Christ, and we need each other. We need the covering of one another, and from Esther's story, we are reminded of this again. So, the next time you find yourself in a battle, big or small, remember to pray. To fast if needed, and always ask for prayer from others, and always in turn, pray and fast for those around you.