Esther’s trip to see the King was just the first step she needed to take in search of favor. When her life was spared and the King asked what she wished for, Esther said that she just wanted to have the King and Haman the over for dinner.
Sometimes that’s what our walk with God can look like. We can be brave enough to go before our Lord. But too scared to make our requests known to him right away. There’s a fear that if we ask the question, we will get the answer we don’t want. Esther probably wanted a little more time to come up with the right words and seeing her husband on his throne, surrounded by his advisors, was probably nerve wracking.
It wasn’t until the dinner was underway that she made her request:
“…and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”
Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.[a]”
(Esther 7:2-4)
Esther, humbly, breaks down what has happened and asks only that her people are spared death. Like any good husband the King is furious that anyone would dare do such a thing to his wife and when he learns of Haman’s involvement the King has him killed.
Of course, there is more to this story because Haman’s decree had already been announced to all the provinces of the land. There was literally a law in place that said anyone could: kill, enslave, and steal from them. So, Esther again went to the King and asked him to spare her people and the King literally gives her his signet ring and says to write a new edict in the kings name:
“The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate the armed men of any nationality or province who might attack them and their women and children, and to plunder the property of their enemies.”
(Esther 8:11)
Esther was given so much favor in that moment and did she have to do? Pray and ask.
Ladies, how often are we told to just ask? In church, there will be alter calls that ask us to come to the front if we are need. The last couple of times that opportunity has been offered I stayed in place. Stuck. Because I was afraid of the answer. I was afraid to be told “no” by God.
Is there something you are afraid to ask God today? I encourage you, to be like Esther and make your big ask.
Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.
Photo by Velizar Ivanov on Unsplash