Big Dividends

In the famous Bible story, Queen Esther chose, at the urging of her uncle, to advocate for her people. Owing to the evil scheming of Haman, a high-ranking official in the king’s court, the Jews were threatened with extermination.

Unless something decisive was done, Haman’s plan would certainly be carried out. It was vital that someone would advocate with the king on behalf of the Jews. Without someone intervening on their behalf, an entire people group would be destroyed. As strange as it seems today, even the queen could not enter the presence of the king without being first invited. Esther was confronted with the choice of doing nothing and allowing her people to perish or doing something and quite possibly losing her own life due to breaking the law of the king. This was a time of crisis.

Queen Esther was careful to prepare thoroughly for the most momentous occasion of her life. Esther asked Mordecai to gather everyone he could and have them fast. “I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king” (Esther 4:16, KJV). Something as momentous as what Esther was about to do required serious spiritual preparation. This is a lesson for all who believe in Jesus.

Momentous actions require significant time spent with God. Entering into a conflict with evil necessitates meaningful time breathing the atmosphere of heaven.

God is a prayer-answering God, and Esther would not choose to do what she did without seeking His blessing. Students preparing for final exams study diligently. Runners, preparing for a marathon, train extensively.

Anyone preparing for everlasting life will spend time in fasting, prayer, and Bible study, receiving strength and blessing from God in anticipation of eternity. Esther and her people were miraculously delivered from certain death.

Deliverance did not come in the form of mounted cavalry or an invading military force. God moved in answer to the prayers of His people.

Time spent in prayer and fasting is time invested for eternity.