Take the Stress Test
Esther 1-10
Introduction: Do you feel “stressed”? Have you (we) learned to REST while you’re stressed? Speaking of stress, I heard about a man that went to the doctor. After examining him thoroughly, the doctor recommended that the man take a RED pill in the morning with a full glass of water, a BLUE pill at lunch time with a full glass of water, and finally, a GREEN pill at night with a full glass of water. The man agreed. Then he asked, “Doc, what’s my problem?” To which the Doctor replied, “You’re not getting enough WATER!”
A careful study of the book of Esther reveals (7) steps to RELIEVE your STRESS and RESTORE your REST. Esther’s Persian name means “star,” but her Hebrew name means “myrtle.” Here is a brief outline of the highlights in this book that does not mention the name of God but demonstrates His Sovereignty on every page:
Chapter 2 – “The Beauty Pageant”
Chapter 3 – “The Bitter Poison”
Chapter 4 – “The Blessed Providence”
Chapter 5 – “The Best Provision”
The nation of Israel was taken into captivity (Babylon – which later became Persia) for a total of 70 years because of her disobedience. Yet, according to the Lord’s chastening purpose, she had been promised to return to her home land. While in captivity is the setting of the book of Esther.
1. Esther was willing to Fulfill her Purpose by SERVING & HONORING God! (Esther 1, 2:7)
“And he brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”
{Esther went thru the (1) year prepping process with oil, myrrh etc. (Esther 2:12)}
• Esther overcame her set backs
2. Esther found FAVOR with the King! (Esther 2:15, 17; 5:8)
“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight….and he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”
• Then she found “Favor” with the king Ahasuerus
3. Esther learned to DEPEND upon God as her SOURCE of STRENGTH! (Esther 4:16)
“Go gather all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day….so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
• A commitment to die to self
4. Esther accepted the role to be CALLED by God to be a servant LEADER! (Esther 4:13)
“Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews….who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
• Then she realized that He would give her influence in motivating others
5. Esther placed herself on the altar and let God have His WAY! (Esther 4:16)
“If I perish, I perish”
• Hands off – Lord, take control
• Hands on – Lord, take control
6. Esther engaged the ENEMY and let God FIGHT her BATTLES! (Esther 6, 7:6)
“And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman.”
• God will fight the battles if we let Him
7. Esther witnessed the Lord CHANGING the course of Human History! (Esther 9,10)
• Instead of the Jews being hung, he met his demise
• To this day, the Jews celebrate the Feasts of Purim commemorating this great victory by the hand of Esther and her God
Conclusion: After studying the book of Esther, our stress is reduced. Right? We like her, can Fulfill our Purpose by serving our risen Savior, and find “FAVOR” with the King. Because He who Called us is the SOURCE of our STRENGTH! As we PLACE our will under His Will, He not only fights our Battles but He changes the course of “history”….because it’s “His Story.”