A True Queen's Courage...

In deepest anxiety, as Haman the Agagite's plot to wipe out the Jews became known, Queen Esther, herself a Jewish girl in disguise, prayed to The Lord: "O my Lord, thou only art our King; help me, who am alone and have no helper but thee, for my danger is in my hand" (Esther 14:3-4).

She was the Queen of the mighty Persian Empire, and yet she was a Jew. Her faith was not just another aspect of her - it WAS her. Her life in God was immeasurably more real and more valuable to her than worldly entitlement. It was her guiding light and her deepest, most sacred treasure. 

What if we had that same faith in God? I'll speak for myself. How often to I actually act (especially in times of trial) as though my fidelity to God is just a given and I need strength to face the earthly consequences? Usually we're quick to jump ship as soon as trouble comes along. We think of all of the options before us - all of the ways we could get out of the uncomfortable or dangerous situation that we're facing.

Bot not Esther! Her true regal character shines forth not in gawdy apparel or the free exercise of earthly power. Her queenship radiates precisely through her unswerving love and devotion to the True King, and I for one hope to emulate her courage.