Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26.

There are times when worries overwhelm me and I find myself turning again and again to the above Proverb to trust in the Lord with all my heart. I find such comfort because I know He cares and will bring me back into the equilibrium my soul longs for.

And now, in Esther 4, Esther is made aware of the acute distress her uncle Mordecai is in. He knows what has happened and that they will die unless something is done. Mordecai cannot go into the palace to speak directly to Esther so he communicates through Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to her, v. 5. She cannot go before the king, her husband, without being summoned first; to do so would be to die unless he extends the gold scepter to her sparing her. Mordecai’s answer to her? “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” v. 13-14.

So Esther directed Mordecai to have all the Jews in Susa fast for 3 days as she and her attendants will fast. Then she will approach the king without being summoned. It’s difficult for us to imagine being in that situation with your own husband, but that was the custom. Esther knew she could die either way. Mordecai knew that as well. Mordecai also knew deliverance would come because he served a faithful God. In all your ways submit to him and he will direct your paths.

And what about us? For such a time as this that we are living in now, do we realize God is the strength of our hearts and our portion forever? Do we care to know Him who is actively working for our good? Who knows what times may hold for each of us; God is here. Always. When you face troubles too great for you, turn to God – Father, Son, Spirit. Trust in Him with all your heart and find comfort and help only God can give you. And let God’s peace settle over you as you understand you are in His care and you are loved. He has you. He will be with you every step of your life forever. Thank You, Lord, for so great a love.