Esther's fast - Day of fast 5/21

 BY Argie Simonis

The story of Esther is one of the most beautiful examples of godliness and self-sacrifice. Being an orphan since she was young, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. When at some point King Ahasuerus wanted to choose a queen for himself, Esther was one of the candidate girls who went to the palace. The Lord made her find favor before the king and she became queen.

At one point Haman, a high-ranking official of the king who hated Mordecai because he did not bow down him like the rest of the people, conspired against him and managed to trick the king into issuing a decree to kill all the Israelites in the kingdom. It was a moment of great crisis and Esther made the right decision: She fasted and sought the Lord, even calling her people to follow her in this fasting:

"Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:16

Without considering her life, she asked for God's guidance. Even if the Lord's direction does not always come clearly, Esther took a step of faith and that saved the lives of her people. We must let the peace of God rule in our hearts. We may not be at perfect peace with any of our choices, but we must choose the one that brings the greatest peace:

"​And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful." Col. 3:15

Esther here put her life in great danger, but the cause was worth the risk. We should all have a purpose more important than ourselves. For those who just love themselves, the Lord said:

"For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Μatt. 16:25-26

So let us keep in our hearts these words of the Lord and the example of Esther. Let us not forget that even in the worst moment of crisis the Lord is with us, ready to guide us when we seek Him with all our hearts, with fasting and prayer.

Amen 🙏