August 5
2014
Prepared for the King
“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”
Esther 4:16
Back to the book of Esther we go.
In Chapter 5 we see Esther preparing to go in “uninvited” to the King to plead for the lives of her people. If we look back at Chapter 4 we see that Esther did not take this lightly. She knew that if the King did not hold forth the scepter to her she would be put to death. Very risky business indeed.
1) Esther Prepared:
Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.
Esther 4:15-17
Not only did Esther fast and pray but she called on her maids and all the Jews in Shushan to fast and pray as well.
2) Esther Positioned herself:
Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, across from the king’s house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. Esther 5:1
When the time came to go before the King Esther understood her position in the palace and dressed accordingly. She put on her “royal robes”, covering herself in confidence and authority. She knew where to stand and wait for permission to approach the throne of the King.
3) Esther demonstrated Patience:
So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. Esther 5:2
Esther waited for the King to extend the golden scepter.
So Esther answered, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.” Esther 5:4
Esther delayed her request and waited for a more appropriate time by inviting the King and Haman to a private banquet. And she further delayed her request a second time, Inviting them to a second banquet.
Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and request is this: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
4) Esther understood Intimacy:
Esther invited the King to a private banquet, one in which she would take the time to serve the King and speak to him in a private place. She understood the importance of showing respect and love for the King – rather than just rushing in with requests and petitions.
*Esther’s preparations made me think about how I approach The King of Kings. Do I take the time to prepare my heart and my mind beforehand so that I am coming into His Presence focused on Him? Do I take the time to pray and fast in unity with other believers before bringing petitions and requests forward? Or do I come, hurried and demanding? Do I understand that my relationship with the King is an intimate one – He is not a vending machine in the heavens handing out chocolate bars, but my Beloved who I seek to spend time with and build relationship with. Do I take the time to put on my royal robes? The Bible tells us we are to come “Come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Do I come before the King humbly but in the authority that He grants me through Christ Jesus?
Esther understood how to approach the King. We too must understand how to come before our King. Prepared, in authority, ready and willing to engage in an intimate relationship.
The King responded to Esther’s presence:
“What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!” Esther 5:6
Our Lord offers even more: an intimate relationship and the entire Kingdom of God.
As it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Our King has a mighty plan for us, we just need to learn how to enter the throne room and enter it often.
