Maranatha Tabernacle Church of God
381 Manton Avenue, Providence RI 02909
Sunday October 8th 2006 10:00am and 11:30am
One Woman before a King
In the year 586 BC Nebuchadnezzar Emperor of the Babylonians (the Iraqis) invaded Jerusalem, destroyed the temple and captured more than 10,000 young Jews. Among these prisoners of war were Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack , Abednego, and a young man named Kish. Kish became the great grandfather of Hadassah who later became known as Esther. The name Kish means a bow, and by nature he may have been both powerful and flexible. I imagine that Kish had a good attitude. He was a prisoner of war but he knew how to get along with people so he made the best of his situation. Let me just say this “things do not always go the way we want them to go in life, but we must learn to be flexible and look to God for change.” Like Job you and I must learn to say “I will wait till my change comes.”
Kish got married while in Babylon and had a son named Shimei. Kish taught the boy well and he probably became famous just as his name, Shimei, means. Shimei had a son and he named him Abihail which means possessor of might. Abihail had a daughter whom he called Hadassah (myrtle) (who later became the great queen Esther). Apparently Abihail did not live very long after Hadassah was born as Mordecai his brother’s son, had to adopt little Hadassah.
Now remember the name Abihail means possessor of might or power. We do not have any record that he had sons or other daughters. We do not have information that indicates whether Abihail was a great warrior possessing military prowess and skill but what we do know is that he had a daughter named Hadassah or myrtle. When she was born Abihail may have been quite disappointed that they did not have a boy since in many patriarchal societies boys are the preferred gender. When they called him and said “it’s a girl.” He may have said something to the effect of “aw man.”
But what he had forgotten was that his name meant possessor of power. Now his name does not mean power but it means possessor of power. You see in his bowels, embedded in his very being was the potential to generate power and one day she was born and he named her Hadassah. Probably Abihail had sons who were brilliant and were built like Arnold Schwartzenmuscular, but Hadassah was the power he had. Abihail could have daughters that were good cooks and excellent home decorators like Martha Stewart. But Hadassah was the power he had. Abihail may have owed property but Hadassah was the power hr had. Possibly he had a thriving business before he died but Hadassah was the power he had. When she born she did not look like much but she was the power he had. When she used to run around the house skipping and giggling as little girls do he may have just ignored her or tried to shut her up but she was the power he had, a power that would change the course of human history and derail the plans of humankind’s enemy.
Now listen to me “don’t take for granted those children God has blessed you with. Yes I know you may have fallen victim to the pick up lines of some player who was foaming at the mouth with lies, telling you how he loved you. How you were more beautiful than the moon and how your eyes sparkled like the stars and your face beamed like the sun and how he would swim the oceans for you, how he would climb the mountains for you, walk through fire for you and kill a dragon for you. But now, now, now after he lied through his teeth and had things his way, as if your name was King, ..…Burger King, now when he comes by to see the child of his indiscretion he does not even want to get up off the couch (your couch, that you are still paying for) and kill a cockroach walking across the living room floor for you, because he is watching the game on your TV (that you are still paying for) and he won’t get a job to pay the child support. But inspite of all of that, the child is valuable in the eyes of God and you don’t know what you have. The law may say the child is illegitimate but God has a plan for your baby. Don’t ignore abuse or mistreat that child because like Hadassah that child may be the power you have.
So as the story goes, Abihail died and his nephew Mordecai took on the responsibility to raise Hadassah who had been given the Persian name, Esther. In 539 BC the Persians (the Iranians) defeated the Babylonians (the Iraquis). Later king Ahasuerus or Xerxes was ruler of the great Persian Empire made up of 127 provinces that stretched all the way from India to Ethiopia held a great banquet for all his officials. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace, for all the men who lived in the city of Susa. The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry (PORFERE), marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, and the wine stewards served everyone whatever they wished.
Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace. On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was drunk he sent for Queen Vashti, to come wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the men of the city of Susa and all his provincial officials, for she was lovely to look at. But Queen Vashti refused to come. The king became furious. He consulted with experts in matters of law and justice. "According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?" he asked. "She has not obeyed the command of King." They advised him to issue a royal decree that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. (NIV)
A search was made for beautiful young virgins for the king to replace Vashti as queen. All these beautiful girls were brought to Susa. They were placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, and given 12 months of beauty treatments, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with perfumes and cosmetics. Numerous girls were brought to Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who was in charge of the harem. Esther, the adopted daughter of Mordecai was lovely in form and features. Esther did not reveal her nationality and family background, because Mordecai her cousin had advised her to not do so. Each girl had a turn to go before the king and if he was pleased with her he would ask her to return.
When Esther’s turn came for her to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence. Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval so he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality. (NIV)
Now notice two things here about Esther.
1. She was Particular in her Preparation so
2. She was Preferred at her Presentation
She PREPARED PARTICULARLY (PRECISELY, CAREFULLY, ACCURATELY)
The text says she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested
Esther was wise enough to realize that she was not going before the king to please herself so she did exactly what she was told would please the king and so she won his approval. Let me just pause here to remind us all that we are not on this earth to please ourselves but the King of Kings.
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him KJV
Psalm 40:8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." (NIV)
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. (NIV)
Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Matthew 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
SHE WAS PREFERRED AT HER PRESENTATION
Then it was Esther’s turn to go before the king. It was show time. Her body was perfectly toned. She had a megawatt smile. She had immaculately styled hair. Her skin was talcum powder soft. Her dark features and flawless form turned every eye in the room. Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval so he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen.
When the King saw her he said to his aide, “this is a wonderful specimen of hommosapiens and I am enamored with her intellectual prowess and magnetic personality.” No honey he said, “that girl is rockin’ she’s got it goin’ on” or “off the hook,” or “Word,” or anything to that effect in hip hop Persian.
You see she won the king’s favor because she prepared to please him. You and I could live with God’s favor even when other people may have more than we do. Let me tell you right now you have favor because God chose you. You may not have as much money as your brother, but you have favor. You may not be as beautiful as your sister but you have favor. Your cousin could be living in LA but you have favor. Favor means getting ahead of the line without cutting. You don’t have to cheat to get things done, God will make a way for you. On Thursday I arrived at the airport in Oweri Nigeria late and the flight was sold out. Three young men offered to help me get on the full flight if I would just give them a thousand Nira ($10USD) in addition to the cost of the ticket. I thought about it then I said to them “ it is okay God will help me.” One of the guys just shook his head and walked away as if to say “that fool will be stuck in Oweri,” and I was stuck there that night. I bought my ticket from Oweri to Lagos to leave on Friday morning. The first flight was at 9:00am that would arrive at 10:00am. Now mind you that was late as the flight from Lagos to New York began checking in at 6:45am and was due to leave at 11:55 am. But the story does not end there. I needed to get a taxi and to find a motel. The taxi driver tried to charge me twice the price but favor worked for me when someone intervened and bargained for the right amount. The hotel was not a 5 star. In fact I would have welcomed the sight of even a half star hotel, but favor was still working. Meanwhile the devil kept saying you will be stuck here until Monday. On Friday morning the plane to Lagos was late. I called Monica and told her to pray. She prayed for a delay of the flight to New York. When I got to the check in the said the time is 12:05pm the flight was scheduled to depart at 11:55am, where have you been? I tried to explain that God was fixing it for me. They all began to laugh and explained to me that they had a delay. I said “Hallelujah.” As they gathered around me I began to explain that angels were holding the plane for me. Someone said “you are a lucky man” “No I am favored” I replied.
God favors His children. Favor is not fair. It is favor. Favor is God’s grace.
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 Peter 5:5 for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, (KJV)
Proverbs 19:12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. (NIV)
Psalm 30:5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (NIV)
Proverbs 12:2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, (NIV)
Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me…. to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."(NIV)
Esther was Preferred at her presentation. She got the favor of the king because she had the favor of God.
So the story goes on. A wicked man named Haman who was the king’s right hand man, decided to kill all the Jews in the Empire and Mordecai, Esther’s cousin learned of it and told Esther. He told her that even though her heritage and nationality were not disclosed that she too would be in great danger. He went on to say to her that if she did not intervene God would protect His people from another source but that it very well might be that she had come to the kingdom for this particular reason. As the story unfolded there are two things I want to show you before I close. One was SHE PRAYED PASSIONATELY and two, SHE PRODUCED POWERFULLY.
She PRAYED PASSIONSATELY
One of the criticisms of the book of Esther was that it does not mention the name of God in any place. However a careful reading of the text discloses that Esther and her maids prayed and fasted for three days. Esther 4:15-16. Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do….. (NIV)
You see Esther knew that prayer works. She grew up in a home where prayer was present. She prayed in her times of trials. She prayed when things were good and when things were bad.
Prayer is going into the secret place of the Most High and abiding under the shadow of the Almighty.
Prayer is dwelling in the presence of the Omnipresent.
Prayer is trusting under the wings of the Omniscient.
Prayer is being covered by the feathers of the Omnipotent.
Prayer is a Daily Chase of the Holy, and a Hot Pursuit of Divinity.
Prayer is the priority that prepares us for our destiny.
Prayer is an opportunity to transcend the earthly, enter the heavenly, exit the temporary and engage eternity.
Prayer is the Secret Source of a believer’s Power.
In prayer, we touch the Holy and we become holy.
In prayer, we touch the Righteous and we become righteous.
In prayer, we strip ourselves of ourselves and clothe ourselves with God Himself.
In prayer, we empty ourselves of ourselves and fill ourselves with God Himself.
In prayer, we unwrap ourselves of ourselves and wrap ourselves with God Himself.
In prayer, we disengage the temporal and engage the eternal.
Prayer is the “Little talk with Jesus that makes things right.”
Prayer is making known to God our wants and desires and holding out the hand of faith to take His gifts.
Prayer is the result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer is communion with God.
Prayer is a continual devotion to God.
Prayer is a lifelong experience. Prayer is a moment-by-moment interaction.
Prayer is a daily surrender. Prayer is an hourly sacrifice.
Prayer is an offering.
Prayer is incense.
Prayer is a fragrant perfume.
Prayer is a sweet smelling savor.
Prayer is an ointment.
Prayer is a rapturous encounter.
Prayer is a joyous refrain.
Prayer is a sweet fellowship with God.
Prayer is a blissful communion.
Prayer is the mightiest force in the universe.
William Cowper, the English poet wrote, “The devil trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.”
Esther prayed and as she prayed she was earnest, she was fervent her heart blazed, her spirit burned. Her body glowed, her whole being exploded in prayer. She become desperate in prayer. She was persistent in prayer. She advanced on her knees in prayer. And as she prayed she used the language of a conquering soul. She made the sound of a godly spirit. She touched God’s heart with her prayer, and He touched her heart with His power. She moved God, and He moved her. She trusted God, and he blessed her because she prayed.
She PRODUCED POWERFULLY
Today is Women’s Day and I want to remind you women that like Esther God has endowed you with a power. Esther’s Jewish name was Hadassah it means myrtle. There are many categories of myrtle trees one of which is eucalyptus. It has a power to cure various illnesses and has been used since ancient times. There is something powerful like the strong fragrance and healing capability of eucalyptus about a woman. It is a potent power that has a magnetic appeal to men. It is the thing that causes men to do crazy things to impress and get the favor of women. It is so powerful that if a woman releases it to a man and that man realizes that that woman really believes in him, really respects him and really honors him, he will do just about anything for her. It is like the eucalyptus fragrance. You cannot see it but you know it is there. From the day God brought Eve to Adam, men have been trying to figure it out. No one can say exactly what it is but women have it. Is it the beauty of a perfectly toned complexion, talcum soft skin, a megawatt smile, flawlessly styled hair? It’s all that and more than that. Is it charm? It’s that and more than that. Is it mystique and mystery? It’s that and more. There is just something powerful about a woman that is secret. It is surreptitious, it is sacred, it is magical, it is inexplicable it is enigmatic, it is unexplainable, it is undiscoverable, it is truly powerful… Women you have a power that you need to use responsibly. You need to keep that power hidden until the right time.
Do not release it before it is time. Do not display it too early or it will lose its potency. Do not show it until show time. Do not flaunt it until the curtain call. Do not reveal it too early because you will dilute, devalue, destroy, dismantle and nullify its effect. Esther did not display it to some snotty nose little premature boy trying to discover his manhood. She did not release it to some punk with a bad attitude a bad hair cut and bad breath from ganja and no toothbrush with no job, no ambition, no future, no good intentions going no where. She did not expose it to some lazy, indolent, lethargic, idle, unmotivated, unenthusiastic, apathetic, shiftless, excuse for a man. She waited for Mr. Right.
I was walking out of the post office recently and I heard the honking of a horn from a nearby truck. When I looked I realized that one of the guys in the truck was calling out to a beautiful, elegantly, dressed young woman. “He’s calling you” I said “from a garbage truck.” I said. She just waved her had in disgust like “pl…ease!”. Now, I am not trying to dis the garbage collection industry but I agree with that woman. If you start taking calls from garbage trucks you don’t really have plans for an extended career track. At least start higher up the ladder so if you fall you could land somewhere above the bottom. But if you start at the bottom of the ladder, God help you.
But that is exactly what some women are literally doing they are going after garbage and they release their God given power for garbage. Keep your power. That power needs to be kept hidden until the rightful time for it to be released. Be like Esther wait your turn to release your power. She waited and waited and waited until she got a king. Nobles came by but Esther was waiting for the king. Military leaders came by but she was waiting for the king. Provincial authorities heard about her and they came by but she was waiting for the king. Princes came by but why settle for a prince when you are king material. Sister you are King Material. Wait for your King.
Now Esther knew the royal law. No one was to go into the king’s throne room unless they were invited by the king himself. If they did they could be instantly killed unless the king held out his scepter. As Esther entered the throne room the king saw her. This was a tense moment she had lived all her life for that instant. All her training, all the beauty treatments, all her prayer, all her fasting was about to culminate in universal consequences. Now she was standing in the presence of the king.
Esther had stood up in the presence of her cousin Mordecai, she stood in the presence of death itself as her father deteriorated day by day before her. She stood one time in the presence of her beauty consultant, Esther stood in the presence of her maidens and friends as she spent the 12 long months of preparation. She stood one time in the presence of all the other contestants that were vying for the honor to be queen and she won. That was, but this is. That was yesterday but this is today. That was the past but this is the present. That was then but this is now, NOW, NOW, NOW she was standing in the presence of the king.
You see Esther could stand in the presence of the King of Persia because she had been standing in the presence of the King of kings. When life gets too much for you, you need to stand in the presence of the King of kings. When you feel like giving up, go stand in the presence of the King. When your troubles are drowning you stand in the presence of the King. And when you are in the presence of the King, all things are possible. When you are in the presence of the king, the blind begins to see. When you are in the presence of the king the lame jump up and walk. When you are in the presence of the king the dumb would speak and the deaf starts to hear when you are in the presence of the King. When you are in the presence of the King you need to pray passionately, “Lord, Yesterday is gone and today is here. The past is passed and the present is present. Tomorrow is coming but I can’t plan on tomorrow, what I need, I need now and I know I am going to get it because I am in the presence of the King.” In the presence of the King walls crumbles, seas open, rivers dry up, lions’ mouths shut, whale stomachs empty fires are quenched, seas are calmed armies scatter,, people change Satan’s strongholds fall, weapons formed against you are crushed, when you are in the presence of the King.
In the presence of the King victory is yours.
