Now is the time!
Opening Prayer
Lord, let me recognize the critical moments of my life and take courage to follow You with confidence.
Read ESTHER 7:1–10
[1] So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, [2] and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, “Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.” [3] Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life-this is my petition. And spare my people-this is my request. [4] For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.” [5] King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, “Who is he? Where is he-the man who has dared to do such a thing?” [6] Esther said, “An adversary and enemy! This vile Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. [7] The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. [8] Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. [9] Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Impale him on it!” [10] So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What character traits do you see in Esther?It’s the “do or die” moment! God has called you to take a step where your decision and action right now will have lasting significance for yourself and others. Can you go through with it? Esther had no choice—she would either die at the will of the king or die as a result of Haman’s evil plans for the Jews (3). God had put her in position for this moment, to save his people (4:14). Boldly she identifies herself (“my people”). The truth gradually sinks in for Xerxes. Esther and her people had been sold for Haman’s profit, then set up for annihilation (4; 3:11). As a Jewess, Xerxes’s beloved queen Esther was also affected by Haman’s threat. Persian protocol meant that Haman should have stood away from the queen, or even have left the room when Xerxes did so (7). In his confusion and desperation Haman is the one begging for his life as he falls before Esther—and it makes things even worse for him (8). The unpopular, arrogant Haman dies by the very means he meant to execute Mordecai (9,10)! God has worked his purposes out.
Apply
“For such a time as this…” Ask God to give you courage and wisdom to live for him today.
Closing prayer
God, I want to live my life with purpose, recognizing Your desire to move through those given to You.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.