By Sister Lisa LaFleur Meinhardt

Hi. I am re-sharing an excerpt from a post from March 12, 2019 (but gave it a new title) because it feels relevant now. Our lives can be turned upside down with one law, one rule, one crisis, one thing that happens in our world. We go to bed at night with everything okay, and we wake the next day to a new normal. Just like that.

As in the book of Esther, the King can speak again and turn it all around. That’s what I love about this book. These were perilous times when evil men prevailed and had the upper hand. But when God’s people rallied and cried out to Him . . . watch out.

A couple years ago, I taught the book of Esther to the junior high and high school students at Onslow Christian Academy, and they can attest that I get excited about this book. It’s close to my heart because it was the first whole book of the Bible I read on my own as a teenager (when all the other teens were reading Song of Solomon, haha). I read it during my bumpy commute to school on that old school bus we rode to Potter’s Hill every day, and its story and words stuck with me and made a lasting impression.

We were created for this moment in history, for such a time as this. We are here carrying the torch from the early rain church through to wherever God takes the latter rain church.

^“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” -Esther 4:14

Share this with a friend who remembers Elder saying, “Wait three days.”

People asked why he chose three days. That time Esther had to make a big decision that risked her life, her response was to wait three days. For three days, everyone was to pray and fast (eat nothing, not even a skittle) before she approached the king. Waiting those three days turned out pretty good for her, as it did for the Elder many times.

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There is no happenstance with God. He has a plan and is in control of everything from beginning to end. Young, middle, and older people—we were born into the church at this time, and we have a responsibility in this hour.

We Have Access to the Throne

Sometimes our routines make us stagnant, and we lose our zeal and excitement in the Lord. Probably Esther had a wonderful beginning being married to the king, but as time wore on, something happened–she grew distant and had not been called by the king to see him for 30 days. Meanwhile, the news of a loud and bitter cry at the king’s gate came to her one day.

“And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.” –Esther 4:3

The Jews were crying out to Esther at the gate to please help them. They were not clothed in the royal robes that had been given to her, and they were not allowed access to the king as she was. They could cry, but only from a distance. They were crying for Esther to not leave them behind. Though she may be able to escape because of where she was, they could not escape this sentence of death that was permeating their streets and their culture. They were crying for the one who had access to the throne, “Do not forsake us.”

No Compromise

Mordecai was not a sell out. He would not bow down and was willing to risk what was dearest to him. He was sold out only to God.

A New Decree

Remember when the horses went out and the riders began to deliver the king’s message? Can you imagine the riders jumping on the backs of these horses, and with a kick of their heels, they were off and running to deliver these letters? How exciting that must have been! They were sealed with the king’s ring and name and no man could reverse it. It gave the Jews the chance to stand for their lives.

“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:” -Esther 8:10

Believe that we are going to get the Word out that brings others into the victory and truth we have come to know. God has other sheep who are hungry. They are seeking depth in Him and know there is a whole lot more at stake than religion is telling. These are the ones who will begin to see something in the Word of God that others cannot see.

Believe that when we petition God and He makes a decree, no man can stand against it.

When God Sends Out the Horses

When the Jewish people stood up in strength on a word from the king, NO ONE could come against them. People were so afraid of the decree the king sent out that they became Jews. Even governors and rulers got onboard. As in that day, maybe those who previously stood against God’s Church will recognize there is a King whose word is behind this people.

As the King granted Esther’s petition, the Lord will grant our petition. It will happen how and when God sees fit—but not if we don’t pray. What if we are holding God back in our own lives because we aren’t praying or preparing?

Don’t Forget Who You Are

We are God’s people, the Body of Christ, and we have access to the throne 🙂

Do you have a favorite or sentimental book of the Bible that stands out or was special to you during a specific time in your life?

Love you all. See ya soon!