By Jill Briscoe
Esther knew a God who was all-powerful and completely trustworthy. Before Esther ever dressed herself in royal robes, she prayed and fasted for the courage to do what God had called her to do.
No big decisions should be made and no great changes should be undertaken without much personal prayer. Then, when you have your answer, where do you go for the courage to carry it out? Esther knew that for her to appear before the king without being summoned by him was punishable by death unless the king extended mercy. She needed great courage to do what she knew God wanted her to do. Courage is a very scarce commodity. Faith, however is doing something without having the courage to do it. Faith trusts God as we do something courageous without wanting to. Faith say, “It shall be done – look out, devil, here we come!” Faith is very practical. It enlists our minds and helps us believe that we were born for a purpose. We should have a sense of destiny that says, “I was created for just such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
Faith believes God when He says, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Faith doesn’t say, “Courage is with me,” but rather, “God is with me” – even when your courage isn’t. Like Esther, we must not allow fear to dictate our actions, but let Christ direct us wherever He wants. In the end, living by faith is being able to do without the courage!
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” ~ Esther 4:14
Lord, help me to live by faith. Let me be in tune with Your purposes and Your people so that I can see what I am called to do in my current situation. Remind me to seek Your counsel in prayer before moving ahead, and then help me to be full of faith when I need to act. Amen.