The Israelites had a problem: they were in Babylonian captivity because of their rebellion. Women in the day had a problem: they were made subject to men of the kingdom by king Xerxes’ decree. King Xerxes had a problem: he just banished his beautiful wife from ever being in his presence again.
But after Xerxes' anger had subsided, he began thinking about Vashti and what she had done and the decree he had made. So his personal attendants suggested, "Let us search the empire to find beautiful young virgins for the king. (Esther 2:1-2 NLT)
When we have problems, we search for solutions. Sometimes we turn to God to give us the solution. Sometimes we ask God to help us come up with the solution. Sometimes we don’t even think about God or even ask. Even when we forget to ask, though, God is at work.
[Mordecai and h]is family had been among those who, with King Jehoiachin of Judah, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter. As a result of the king's decree, Esther, along with many other young women, was brought to the king's harem at the fortress of Susa and placed in Hegai's care. (Esther 2:6-8 NLT)
Got was starting to work out a solution for Xerxes. God was starting to work out a solution for women. God was starting to work out a solution for the Israelites. An Israelite woman was about to become the next queen of the Babylonian empire.
Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther's honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone. (Esther 2:16-18 NLT)
Sometimes faith is the most important part of finding a solution to our problem. We believe that God exists. We believe that God has everything under control. We believe that God works together for the good of those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose. When we trust that God has a solution to our problems, we stop trying to come up with our own. Instead, we start watching for God. And, we have peace.
One day as Mordecai was on duty at the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh--who were guards at the door of the king's private quarters--became angry at King Xerxes and plotted to assassinate him. But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told the king about it and gave Mordecai credit for the report. When an investigation was made and Mordecai's story was found to be true, the two men were impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all recorded in The Book of the History of King Xerxes' Reign. (Esther 2:21-23 NLT)
How about you? What do you do when you have a problem? Do you try to come up with a solution? Do you involve God in the process? Do you trust God to work things out? Do you believe God has a solution?
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