(Esther 2:17 MKJV) And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she rose in grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins. And he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Esther won the king’s favor. Reading this book points out three things she did that we can learn as we seek God’s favor in our own lives.
1) She took the time necessary to prepare her self. Twelve months of preparation was required before meeting the king. In the same way we are to study to let God know we are serious about seeking His approval. (2 Timothy 2:15 MKJV) “Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”
2) She wanted to please only the king. If she won the approval of the king surely she could have won the hearts of many others but that did not matter to her. In the same way we must be set apart, dividing right from wrong, good from the best, and our purpose from God’s. (Luke 16:13 MKJV) “No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
3) She had a purpose that went beyond her self. Haman, one of the king’s men planned to wipeout the Jewish people but God purposed for Esther to be over Haman as his queen, still Haman was very powerful and influential and when it was time Esther risked her life to serve God. In the same way we have been given a purpose that goes beyond having a dream home, car, even family. God has placed within you the answer to someone’s question, just as He did Esther. If we allow ourselves to be distracted by the things of this world and temporary comforts we will lose our birthright given to us by the King. (Genesis 25:29 MKJV) “And Jacob boiled soup. And Esau came from the field, and he was faint. And Esau said to Jacob, I beg you, Let me eat of the red, this red soup, for I am faint. Therefore his name was called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me your birthright today. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point of dying, and what profit shall this birthright be to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day. And he swore to him, and he sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and soup of lentils. And he ate and drank, and rose up and went his way. And Esau despised his birthright.”
