“Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it. 11 And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women’s quarters, to learn of Esther’s welfare and what was happening to her.” Esther 2:10-11 NKJV
Father God,
This book entitled Esther and the narrative in it are not about the King or even the place. Yes Ester is in it, but it is mostly about You, God. Encouraging Jews living in a foreign land, that You would still save them, still provide for them. Some people had returned to Jerusalem but there was still a great many spread out in many other nations. The diaspora. And they had intermarried whereas those who returned to Jerusalem were reminded You God had forbade this.
Esther kept her Jewish roots secret, but she’s far from foolish and she trusts Mordecai and those she knows can help her. She is teachable. Her behaviour and willingness to accept advice from Hegai, the custodian of the women, gained her the favour of all. One woman among many beautiful women. We would say today Lord that she was also beautiful on the inside. You opened the door and placed her in the right place at the right time and with the right attitude. And perhaps they glimpsed something different about her. Because she knew You, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Many of us cannot profess to be one of the beautifully people. But how lovely it would be to be known as a beautiful person by our lives. Not because of how good we have been, or what we have done or achieved but because Jesus, You God could be seen in us, our behaviour and attitudes.
Worship Monday 14th September 2026
Two simple prayer choruses that I first heard at the Salvation Army.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Lyrics: Albert W T Osborn
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me;
In every thought and deed,
This is my aim, my creed;
To be like Jesus!
This hope possesses me;
His Spirit helping me,
Like Him I’ll be.
Lyrics: John Gowans.