Esther 4:1-11 and 13-14
Call to courage
- 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
- 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?
- 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.