Trust & Obey

Esther 5:1-14
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question. 9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.


The story of Esther is a very familiar and beloved narrative, a favorite for young Sunday School children, a great book for Bible Study members, and teachable lessons to glean from for a sermon series.  It's a fascinating, intriguing, page-turner story with suspense and triumph. Esther is a book of the Bible that doesn't mention God by name. However His hand, providence, and plan are apparent in each chapter and verse.  Phrases such as "and if I perish, I perish" (Es 4:16) and "for such a time as this" (Es 4:13) are powerful and impactful. We see how Esther is initially a reluctant participant but grows in boldness, courage, and wisdom. Ultimately, the destruction of the antagonist Haman is cheered, capturing our attention and admiration for how God works to save His people.  It would definitely be a contender for a binge-worthy Netflix top ten.

This passage from today's lectionary shows a stark contrast between these two main characters. Esther is cautiously seeking how to approach the king and ask for what she desperately needs for her people. She knows that her timing must be impeccable, her words must be carefully chosen, and her obedience to God must outweigh the rules regarding when and how to appeal to her husband, the king.  
She is an example for us today. We can boldly approach the throne of God with our requests and petitions, but do we sometimes have a set agenda, timeline, and ideas of what we need Him to do and how it should look? Before making decisions, big or small, do we first seek His guidance, plan, and timing and patiently wait for Him to work out the details in our lives? Or do we pray fervently and sit back and worry? Is our very first thought to turn to God and trust him completely in all things, not just when our lives are unraveling and in shambles?
I wish I could say, "Yes, always." But sometimes I like to take matters into my own hands because I "know" what the timeline should look like; I've thought up the "perfect" solution, the right words, and orchestrated in my mind what it should look like. Then I'm often reminded that it's not about me; it's all in God's timing. He has a definite plan and purpose; He's already working behind the scenes in every area. I need to let go of my way, stop worrying, grow in wisdom, and completely trust that He has the best solution and path. It's my responsibility to obey His leadership and walk where He is directing.

In the second section of this passage, we encounter Haman's rage, hatred, pride, arrogance, and narcissistic attitude. His wife and friends join in on suggesting the destruction of Mordecai and encourage Haman to pursue the public, humiliating, impaling death of his enemy Mordecai. We can see how evil this way of thinking is, how wrong idolizing ourselves is, and the tempting influence of the wrong type of friends. 
I'd like to say that I have nothing in common with Haman at all, but evil surrounds us. Sin tempts us to not love our neighbor as we should, place value in possessions or others, and boast about our accomplishments. But thanks be to God that the Holy Spirit in us convicts us to put our focus on Him and his direction and leading for our life. As we grow and mature as Christians and in our relationship with God, we turn our focus less on ourselves, our idols, or our self-righteousness and more towards seeking out, trusting, and obeying what His will and His word say for us.

This passage and Esther's example remind me of the beloved hymn and song of encouragement Trust and Obey. May it be your song this week.

TRUST AND OBEY 
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]

3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]

4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]