How can Esther's response in Esther 4:15 influence our decision-making in crises? Setting the Scene Esther 4:15 “Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:” Esther’s answer, expanded in verse 16, comes at the height of a national emergency. Every Jewish life in Persia hung in the balance. Her response gives a clear pattern for godly decision-making when life suddenly tilts into crisis. Esther’s Three-Part Response • Gather the people of God: “Go and assemble all the Jews…” • Seek the face of God: “…fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maidens and I will fast likewise.” • Obey the will of God, whatever the cost: “After that, I will go to the king… And if I perish, I perish!” Lessons for Our Crisis Decision-Making • Community over isolation – Crises tempt us to pull back. Esther calls the whole covenant family into united action (see Hebrews 10:24-25). • Dependence over self-reliance – Fasting underscores total reliance on the Lord (Psalm 20:7). Prayerful fasting clears the heart to hear God (James 1:5). • Courage over comfort – Esther steps into mortal danger, trusting that obedience is safer than compromise (Joshua 1:9). • Priority of God’s timing – Three days of fasting delay the rush to act. Waiting on God protects us from impulsive fixes (Isaiah 40:31). • Acceptance of consequences – “If I perish, I perish” shows surrender to God’s sovereignty (Philippians 1:20-21). Faithfulness matters more than personal outcome. • Alignment with God’s larger story – Esther’s risk preserves the promised Messianic line (Genesis 12:3). Decisions in crisis should be weighed against God’s redemptive purposes. Putting It Into Practice Today 1. When a crisis hits, immediately invite trusted believers to pray and, where appropriate, fast with you. 2. Immerse the situation in Scripture; let God’s Word recalibrate fear (Psalm 46:1). 3. Ask the Lord for wisdom, then wait long enough to receive it (James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5-6). 4. Choose obedience even when outcomes look uncertain. Security lies in God’s will, not in visible odds. 5. Resolve beforehand to glorify Christ whatever happens (2 Corinthians 5:9). |
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