it was the best of times
it was the worst of times
Esther was safe in the king's palace;
her people were just handed a death edict...
the king needed a new queen
a search began
from hundreds of women
Esther was chosen as the best
special attention was given her
time and efforts bestowed upon her
words and directives equipped her
she was the most beautiful
the one set apart
the one crowned queen
she knew what to do
when to do
how to do
and where
she knew her place
not to see the king's face
unless he requested her
her cousin was vigilant
there at the king's gate
watching
ready
advising
caring
he was Mordecai, a Jew
unashamed
owning his heritage
his heritage enraged a certain fellow
a king's noble
elevated and honored above all his other nobles
his name was Haman
son of Hammedatha the Agagite
he loathed Jews
one in particular
named Mordecai
the very same Mordecai
who maintained his station at the king's gate
remaining vigilant and ready
the very same cousin of Esther
queen
and Jew
though no one knew
she was a Jew
Mordecai advised her to hold that national treasure
near her own heart
for her own protection
a secret
no one knew
she was a Jew
and it was a Jew who enraged Haman
who refused to kneel before him
when he passed by
the Jew Mordecai would kneel to no one
but his God
this infuriated Haman
he demanded homage
he demanded laud and honor
he demanded kneeling
particularly from a Jew
Haman decided to alleviate his fury
by not only killing Mordecai
but by annihilating the entire race from the kingdom of King Xerxes
his plan took on form
grew bigger
better
stronger
more terrifying
became public knowledge
the Jews were educated
told of their future demise
close at hand
the Jews mourned
grieved
wept
prayed
Mordecai had one trump card
her name was Esther
queen
the king's favorite
"approach the throne"
she was told
by her cousin Mordecai
"be our advocate
we need you now
you are also a Jew
and are neither safe from this deathly edict"
"you are there, Esther, in the king's palace
for such a time as this"
"you must fight for life"
Esther acted
prayed
fasted
enlisted the Jews
to pray
fast
wait on her behalf
God heard
He moved
He had set Esther in that place
for such a time as this
it is He who turns the hearts of kings
who hardens
or softens
who moves
and directs
He determines their steps
and uses them as means to protect
or save
or rescue His people
God is the hero of Esther
always and forever
He just used a lovely woman as His vessel
to effect the change of the coming peril and judgment
from one nation to one man
He saved
He rescued
He protected
He avenged
God is to be worshiped here
emulated
lauded
praised
honored
feared
loved
elevated
it is He who brought salvation
it was His hand behind Mordecai's
behind Esther's
behind the very hand of Xerxes
God is in it all
behind it all
before it all
through it all
and all is for Him
may the faithful God be remembered in Esther
His wisdom
His timing
His protection
His victory
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