Esther

August 15

Esther 2:8, 10-11, 15-18

Esther becomes queen

King Xerxes had ordered the officials in his empire to find the most beautiful women in the country and bring them to his palace in the city of Susa. Esther was one of the chosen women.

She was brought to the royal palace where she and the other women were given pretty clothes to look good for the king. Meanwhile, Mordecai, a cousin who had adopted her, advised her not to tell anyone that she was Jewish.

Everyone admired Esther, and when the time came for her to be presented to the king, he liked her more than any of the other women. He fell in love with her! He put a royal crown on her head and made her queen in Vashti’s place. The king gave a great banquet to honor Esther, declared a holiday and handed out gifts.

Can God use me for great things if I am just ‘ordinary’?

Esther grew up as an ordinary child. In fact, her people had been brought to Babylon as slaves—and she was an orphan.

God often uses ordinary people rather than great people whose hearts are filled with pride. Jesus said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Do you remember how God used ordinary people like Joseph, Gideon, David, and Daniel to do great things for Him?

Esther may have thought about the message that Jeremiah had sent the people in Babylon: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

For years, life had been hard for Esther; yet God had blessed her and put her in a place where He could use her to bring hope and a future to His people.

Verse for today   

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. 1 Corinthians 1:26-27