By David Faust
What do we have in common with Esther? Nearly 500 years before Christ, she lived in a palace, belonged to a royal family, and was extraordinarily good-looking. Most of us don’t do anything newsworthy and heroic, but God used her to save thousands of lives—and a book of the Bible was even named for her!
Yet, like other characters we meet in the Bible, Esther and her problems are surprisingly relatable. Do you ever wrestle with tough decisions or complicated situations that seem unresolvable? Do you ever feel like you are in over your head? Do you ever worry because someone you love is in danger?
THE DESTRUCTION OF FAMILIES
Esther had good reason to worry. An evil manipulator named Haman persuaded King Xerxes to order the execution of the Jews. Mixing logical arguments with earnest emotions, Esther pleaded for the king to rescind his terrible edict. She concluded her case by asking Xerxes, “For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” (Esther 8:6).
We are separated from Esther by time, culture, and circumstances, but we all can relate to her worries. We don’t want people we love to see disaster. We don’t want our nations, churches, or families to be destroyed. Many anxious parents and grandparents could echo Esther’s worried words, “How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”
Satan delights in destroying families, dividing churches, and tempting our kids to give up their faith. How can we protect our children from wolves in sheep’s clothing who prey on their minds, souls, and bodies? How can we resist unbiblical ideas our culture embraces as normative? How can we prepare our kids for the daunting spiritual challenges they will face in the future?
THE INTERVENTION OF GOD
Psalm 127:4 compares children to “arrows in the hands of a warrior.” To shoot an arrow, you must aim it and then release it. That’s what parents do with our kids: Aim them the best we can, then release them. Once you release the arrow, you have no direct control over it; but as someone has said, “You still can pray for a favorable wind!” Parents can’t control our grown-up children and the decisions they make, but we can aim them in the right direction and pray for God to blow “a favorable wind” their way.
Esther’s burdens seemed unbearable, but she boldly brought her concerns to the king; and by God’s grace, Xerxes listened to her plea and reversed his edict, saving the lives of the Jews. Aren’t you glad we have another throne and a far better King we can ask for help? Through his Son’s death and resurrection, it’s as if the Father has extended to us “the golden scepter,” allowing us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
When we are worried about our families, we can seek God’s intervention. If our burdens feel too heavy to bear, we can bring them to the King of kings “who daily bears our burdens” (Psalm 68:19)—even when the burdens seem unbearable and the problems seem unresolvable.
Personal Challenge: What is the biggest worry or the heaviest burden you are carrying right now? Through prayer, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
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Image: An overhead view of Navy divers trying to locate and recover victims and wreckage from Flight 90. The Department of Defense image is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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