What To Do In Times Of Uncertainty
Esther 5
Several weeks ago, I asked the questions…
Have you ever wondered…
* Why did God put me in this position?
* How did or is God going to do this?
* How is this going to work out in the end?
* Where is God?
The whole idea is sometimes we wonder where God is…and we wonder if He is even at work in our lives
The was based on the fact God is not mentioned in the book of Esther and if we dig deep into this scripture we see God’s divine hand at work
Today we are going to answer the question, how to deal with times of certainty
A pastor wrote “I think of the countless times throughout our lives, when faced with life’s difficulties that we fear or grow unsure about what to do or how to react. So often there are no clear-cut choices to be made, times when we hesitate or hope the problem will go away. There are times when our challenges threaten our security, or our comfort levels, and we fear making the wrong decision – challenges that some of you face even today.”
We know from last week in Chapter 4, we find servants bowing to Haman (a prideful man of power – 2nd in power to the king)
Mordecai who is Esther’s cousin doesn’t give in to the bowing
When Haman finds out Mordecai isn’t bowing, he talks to the king about annihilating the Jews
Mordecai then challenges Esther (queen) to intercede and go the king
Verse 11
She says, I am not allowed to talk to the king…it could mean my life…she was in a time of desperation and uncertainty
What is fasting & prayer?
Fasting - went without food – going humbly before God – I can’t
Prayer - inviting God into your life and asking Him to intervene and intercede
Verse16
Esther’s Fasting and Praying (Proved 4 Things)
1. Esther Sought God For Direction
a. This was a way of saying God’s way is better than my way
b. It was her way of submitting to God
c. I wonder if her pray was something like this, “Father, I know now why you have made me queen, to rescue your children. I must face the king. God I don’t have the words, the strength…today I ask you to give me direction and assurance. I pray you will guide my thoughts. Instill in me your way.”
Do you need to seek direction from God this morning? If so, what way?
2. Esther Sought God For Strength
a. This was a way of saying God’s strength is better than my strength
b. It is through seeking, we find the abundant source of strength God offers for His children
c. 2Sa 22:33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Ps 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Our strength is nothing compared to the strength of God – it fails us
Ps 38:10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me
Do you need to seek Strength from God this morning? If so, what way?
3. Esther Sought God For Provision
a. This was a way of saying God’s plan is better than mine
b. God sees the picture from afar off, more than we can imagine
c. Denver airport
Do you need to seek provision from God this morning? If so, what way?
4. Esther Sought God For Peace
In this case, I think of the word refuge – shelter from the storms of life
Ps 4:1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou has enlarged (give relief) me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
Ps 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety – praying for refuge.
Jaden our son woke up one morning at 3 am. Screaming. It wasn't a scream of my diaper is wet or I am hungry. It was a scream of despair and panic. That night he slept with us. The next night as I was getting ready to lay him down in the crib, he latched on to me and I couldn't get him off. I finally gave up and brought him to bed again. After about an hour I was able to put him in his crib. The 3rd night started the same. Instead of fighting, we brought our 2 year to the living and prayed that God would give him peace of mind, comfort, God would touch Him, and that God had given us Jaden...Jaden is His child. Five minutes later, Jaden was asleep. God had given Jaden, a peace...only true peace comes from God.
Do you need to seek peace from God this morning? If so, what way?
It was because of Esther’s seeking, God filled the void of doubt, weakness, and worry...
When we don’t know what direction God is moving us or when God hasn’t moved us, we can find refuge in seeking God in where He wants us to go…college, work, ministry, vision, family, friends, changes, life’s unexpectancy’s
When we don’t know what lies ahead for us tomorrow, it is up to us to seek His direction…beginning of chapter 4 predicament, end of chapter 4 on her knees in prayer / fasting, boldly before the king
Esther 5:1-2 God’s Provision
As God moves Esther we see she got exactly was she sought for….
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, THEN all these things shall be added unto to you
The result is we see God Gave Direction, Strength, Peace, Provision
This Story is full of the Promises of God
Application:
1. It is during these times there is great value of waiting
Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength (gain new refreshing strength); they shall mount up with wings as eagles (gain a new perspective on life); they shall run, and not be weary (extra spiritual strength – like a 5 hour energy drink); and they shall walk, and not faint (endurance to fight the good fight of faith
How did Esther wait? She fasted for 3 days
2. It is during these times there is great value in seeking
10 This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the LORD. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
God knows your position, God knows your cares, God knows your need, He holds tomorrow in the palm of His Hand
3. It is during these times there is great value in believing
Illustration
Psalms 144:1-2 1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples[a] under me.
Because of God divine plan at work in our life, we can have faith in His plan
* A ship was wrecked in a furious storm and the only survivor was a little boy who was swept by the waves onto a rock. He sat there all night long until, the next morning, he was spotted and rescued.
* “Did you tremble while you were on the rock during the night?” someone later asked him.
* “Yes,” said the boy, “I trembled all night-but the rock didn’t”
* In times like theses, we can have faith in His plan, but we must build our lives upon Him
In times like these, we have to seek God, His Word, and His way
Did I mention, that I love Him, How I worship and adore Him, when I can’t see the way, He makes a way. Did I mention, He’s been faithful, to every promise He ever made me I love Him…that’s all I want to say.
