It’s easy for us to look at the story of Esther in the Old Testament and see the good outcome. Yet a lot of bad things happened to the people in the story before the outcome could happen.
Early on in the Book of Esther, on the seventh day of a lavish banquet, King Ahasuerus wants to show off Queen Vashti beauty “to the people and the princes (Esther 1:11, NASB).” When the queen refuses, the king becomes very angry and issues a decree stating that the queen “may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she.” This sets the stage for saving the Jewish people.
A man named Mordecai was taken captive from his home in Jerusalem and exiled in Babylon. There, in this foreign land, “he was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had no father or mother (2:7).” Mordecai and Esther are living with the loss of their homeland and loved ones. If that wasn’t enough grief, Esther was taken from Mordecai “to the king’s palace into the custody of Hegai, who was in charge of the women (2:8).”
Now Mordecai is concerned about Esther. Perhaps for her safety, he tells her not to reveal her nationality or family background (2:10). He has raised this orphan as his own, and he can’t help but wonder what would happen to her. “Every day Mordecai walked back and forth in front of the court of the harem to learn how Esther was and how she fared (2:11).
Ever have days, weeks or months like that? It seems one bad thing after another piles up. The future seems filled with uncertainty and you start to wonder what else could go wrong. You’re concerned for the safety of your loved ones. Yet God tells us to “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 make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:4-5).”
If you read the book of Esther, you learn that all these events lead to placing Esther in a position to save her people. As Mordecai told Esther when she debated whether to seek the king’s help, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this (4:14)?” God has placed you at this moment in history for a purpose. Despite your immediate circumstances, trust and follow Him.
140 Character Christian 
Thank you for this post! Wishing you blessings!
Thank you for the comment. Blessings.
Sometimes in our faith journey, we stumble at the approach of another obstacle. Then, God reminds us to trust, just as Esther does.
Hebrews 11:1 comes to mind: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Blessings.
Esther is on of my favorite Bible characters.
The Veggie Tales version is pretty cool too!
Esther reminds me that God has placed us here for such a time as this.
Yes, gotta love the Veggie Tales version.
Thanks for the comment. Blessings.