Esther – Hope & Courage – (p4)

Esther 4:1-11 and 13-14

Call to courage

  1. Reality check – no one gets a free pass (verse 13)
  • There are tough times ahead even for the Queen of Persia.
  • The Christian life isn’t always easy, it can be tough and challenging.
  • John 16:33
  • 2 Corinthians 1:9
  • Isaiah 43:2
  1. God is a God of relief and deliverance
  • No situation is too difficult – God is a God of rescue.
  • The history of the Israelites shows us this.
  • Nothing is a problem if God is on your side.
  • Look at the second part of these verses, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 1:9, Isaiah 43:2
  • Does your view of God include relief and dramatic deliverance?
  1. God uses you and me to bring about the relief and deliverance (verse 14)
  • You are here for a purpose, in this time/moment of history.
  • Deliverance will come, that’s not in doubt (verse 14), but will you be a part of it? Will you come alongside the work of God?
  • We can retreat or see challenges as an opportunity.
  • Each of our lives will intersect with opportunities where we can come alongside the work of God.

Esther 4:15-16

How does Esther bring about relief and deliverance?

  • Prayer and fasting.
  • Rather than rush into the King Xerxes throne room, she retreats into the throne room of God.

Esther 5:1-2

Prayer and the upside down way to deliverance

  • What if the only thing between you and breakthrough is a season on your knees?
  • When we pray we partner with God.
  • Daniel 10:12-14, this gives us a glimpse behind the curtain of what happens when we pray.
  • Esther chose prayer and we are to do the same.

What is your Haman size challenge? Whatever it is, retreat to prayer.