GOOD TO GREAT TEACHING SERIES
Great Hope – Esther
Esther 4:16
Canyon Rim Community Church; May 8, 2005
Mark Scott; Senior Pastor
This morning we turn our attention to the fifth, of six Biblical characters, that made conscience and deliberate decisions which transformed their lives into greatness in the eyes of God. The inspiration for this preaching series is Jim Collins business book, “Good To Great”. One of the most important characteristics his researchers discovered present in every great corporation was a commitment to confront the brutal facts facing them – whatever they might be – yet, never losing faith that they would overcome however overwhelming the odds in doing so appeared to be.
The inspiration for that chapter could have been derived from the book of the Bible which we open today. The story of Esther is a portrait of a brave, devoted and shrewd man named Mordechi and his courageous, beautiful, young niece, Esther, who would become the Queen of the Persian king, Xerxes. It is appropriate that we would consider such a woman on a day when we honor women in our land on this very special day of tribute and recognition.
Already in this series, we have discovered that if a person is going to achieve greatness in the eyes of God, it will require great faith, great purpose, great courage, great passion and as we find today, great hope.
Hope – it is an interesting word – but one who’s meaning is not clear to many people. For most of us, hope is just another word for “wishfulness” – it even has a melancholy nature to it. However, in scripture, it is a much more powerful word. It connotes confidence and even certainty in the face of circumstances that present no visible reasons for such emotions.
Today, I want to help you have more hope for the current circumstances you may find yourself facing. You may be here today feeling you are at the end of your rope. If so, you have come to the right place for I want you to discover three reasons your hope can be strong – if you will anchor yourself in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Before we can do this, however, it is important that we get everyone up to speed on the story of Esther. Because of time’s sake, allow me to present the story to you in a nutshell.
The story takes place in Persia – also called Babylon, in scripture. One of the great kings of ancient history ruled there – a true empire building by the name of Xerxes. His queen was a beautiful woman by the name of Vashti. One day, the King ordered his wife to appear before him at a party so he could show everyone just how striking she was. When she refused, the king was furious. To make matters worse, the officials of the King suggested that if word of her refusal to obey her husband got around, no one else’s wife would think she had to listen to her husband. Imagine – a woman who dared not listen to what her husband said! (You’ve come a long way, baby).
King Xerexes wasn’t happy for long without a queen, so he ordered a search through the kingdom for a beautiful girl to be his bride. It wasn’t too long before the King’s scouts happened upon Esther. Esther was beautiful, gracious and kind -- just what the king was looking for. In no time at all, Esther was married to the king. Now Esther was a Jew. The Jews had been driven out of Israel, their home, about 70 years before and exiled in Persia. Although they did there best to make a living in this strange land, they prayed that someday they would be able to return to their home. Esther’s uncle Mordechai, was the leader of the Jews and a very shrewd individual. Mordechai encouraged Esther to hide her faith from the King and his advisors, which she did.
Haman had, by this time, become a powerful man in the kingdom - Prime Minister of Persia in fact. He decided that given his rise in power, it would be appropriate for everyone to bow down to him. But Mordechi refused to bow down to him. Haman was very angry and asked the King to authorize a royal decree to annihilate the Jews. Haman cast lots to determine the day this was to happen. And so it was decreed that in Adar of the coming year, on the 13th day of the month, all the Jews were to be killed, in every province and every nation of the land. There would be no place to run, and no place to hide. This is where our brave Queen Esther comes into the picture -- Mordechai, having found out about Haman’s evil intentions, sent Esther a message. He told her what Haman was plotting and asked her to go to the King on the Jews behalf.
Esther was afraid. She hadn’t been allowed to see the King for a month. In fact, no one could see him without being invited. But she fasted and prayed for three days, mustered up her courage and went to see the king. Although he was initially angry at her, King Xerxes spared her life and offered "half my kingdom for your wishes," All she asked was that the King and Haman join her for dinner that night. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question." Of course, both the King and Haman agreed to attend a second banquet with the lovely young Queen.
Haman was very pleased that he’d been asked to dine with the King and Queen two nights in a row and was filled with pride. Yet, when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and still Mordecai refused to bow to him, Haman was filled with rage. He decided that night to build a gallows to hang Mordechai from and planned to speak to the king about it the very next morning. That way, he’d have the whole matter dealt with during the day and be able to enjoy the next evening’s banquet in peace.
That same night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. The book was turned to the day Mordecai exposed a plot to assassinate the King. The King was reminded of this tale and asked what reward Mordecai had received. The king’s attendants told him that nothing had been done for Mordecai.
The next morning, just as Haman was arriving to ask that Mordecai be hanged the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Haman, still filled with pride, mistakenly thought the king was referring to him. So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, `This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”
Imagine Haman’s shock when the King commanded, “Go at once. Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate.” Haman obeyed the king, of course, but not happily! He was very upset that Mordecai, his enemy, was being honored by the king. Immediately after leading Mordecai around the city proclaiming, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”, Haman had to go to the banquet with the King and Queen.
Finally Esther shared the secret of her faith and proclaimed herself a Jew. She begged the king to spare her people. Harbona, one of the king’s attendants told the king of the gallows that Haman had built to have Mordecai hanged. The king was furious with Haman and ordered that he be hanged on those gallows. Haman’s pride and cruelty had led to his own destruction and the brave, young Esther had saved her people.
The key event – and key verse of this dramatic story – is found in Esther 4:12-14: 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
In the time remaining this morning, I want to help you discover from the crisis of Esther how to get through the next crisis you encounter – or, perhaps, the crisis you are facing this morning. Do you remember what we said in the beginning of this message that the research team in the book, Good To Great found? Every single corporation that became great faced times of tremendous challenge and uncertainty. Collins notes that each group that successfully navigated through those treacherous waters did two things:
First of all, they confronted the brutal facts
In words, they didn’t live in denial, they didn’t explain them away, they didn’t minimize the seriousness of what they were facing – they faced them square on. Are you doing that?
2. Second of all, they never lost faith that they would somehow not only survive but eventually triumph over whatever the crisis might be. I want to help you learn from the life of Esther how to do these two very important things.
HOW TO GAIN HOPE IN A HOPELESS CIRCUMSTANCES
1.Understand that you being in this crisis is no accident.
Esther must have asked herself the age old question, “WHY ME” when Mordechi explained the precarious circumstances facing her people. All of a sudden, everything seemed to rest on her shoulders. One of the most understandable and predictable reactions in times like this is to ask that question of WHY. Imbedded in such inquiries is the sense that what you are facing is far too great to be able to handle. We often feel we are not qualified to be able to do what seems to have come to us.
In times like that, its important that you draw upon the strength of God’s word. Again and again, we are reminded that God did not make a mistake in making each one us just the way we have been made. David said, it like this, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I know that full well”. (Psalm 139:13-14)
Do you remember that in the story of Gideon, he had these same kinds of thoughts in regard to doing what was going to be necessary to fulfill God’s plan for him at a critical time. In short, he was sure it was too much, too hard, too difficult, too much to expect from a person like himself. The angel’s reply was short and swift – “Go in the strength that you have”. Not in the strength you will someday have, not in the strength God is going to give to you – but, go in the strength that you ALREADY HAVE.
I want to provide you with one of the most important promises in all of the Bible for times just like this. It is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 where it says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And, God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But, when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand under it”.
There are three promises you can hang on to and derive hope from in your current crisis or the next crisis to come:
(1) You are never going to face anything that other people haven’t had to face before – it is going to be something common to man.
(2) You will never face any crisis that is bigger than you are – God is faithful to never allow that to happen. Even though it may SEEM to be bigger than you are, it never is and never will be.
(3) You will be provided a way out to be able to stand under it. God is going to supernaturally show up and do something in you, through you, around you, with you or for you – that will enable you to survive what appears crushing.
Esther found hope in her time of fasting for somewhere she had to have been reminded of this first truth – I am not facing anything that it too great for me to bear – That is the first way hope is built.
2. Understand that the TIMING of this crisis is no accident
Another common response in hopeless times is to wish for some period of time other than the present. Some of us get lost in the past – we may even fashion our responses in such a way to resemble the way life USED to be – in another time, in another place or perhaps with other people. Yet, still other people, focus on the future – as if this circumstance is not real or as if it didn’t exist. Listen very carefully – not only are you not an accident – the TIMING of the crisis is also never coincidental. Somehow, in the vast reaches of the mind of God, he has always known the timing of every event in your life. Listen again to the word of God on this matter:
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”.(Psalm 139:16).
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world, for good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Let those two thoughts soak in for a moment. Do you recognize the implications of what they say? God is so infinite in His comprehension of all things – He has seen everything in your past – and everything that is in your future – and everything that is going on in your life right now. And, we just read a few moments ago that He is faithful to control the severity of the storms we sail through.
If that is so, then not only it is no accident you are in this crisis – the timing is absolutely perfect for you to be in this crisis right now. I don’t know if recognizing that fact makes you feel better or feel worse about your life!
Here is what I do know – the advice of Mordechi to Esther was profound – not only for her life but for our lives as well. Look again at what he tells Esther; “Who knows that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this”. (Esther 4:14)
May I suggest you take a deep breath in your crisis today – and realize you just have discovered a second reason to have greater hope? Not only are you more than capable of going through this difficult time – the timing is exactly right for you to be facing it – somehow, God has already seen to that. It was right for this to happen a year ago – and it wouldn’t be right for it to happen a year from now – it’s the perfect time right now for this to be happening.
3. Understand that the CIRCUMSTANCES of this crisis are no accident.
Now, this is where things really get interesting. Not only are you the perfect person for this crisis and not only is this the perfect time for it to occur – all of the circumstances are exactly perfect for what God is going to utilize to accomplish his perfect will in this matter.
What does that mean? For one thing, it is no accident where you are right now in your crisis. Secondly, it is not accident the surrounding cast that is riding with you through this crisis. By that I mean your family, your friends, your work associates and especially your church. All of those people are going to either impact you – OR, you are going to impact them by how you handle what you are facing right now.
Do you realize that there was not one other single person in Babylon who was in the position to influence King Xerxes – or to thwart the evil intent of Haman – other than Esther.
Somehow, in the crisis you are experiencing – or will experience in the future – you are going to be God’s perfect person for what needs to be accomplished for the Kingdom of God. That kind of puts this particular crisis in an entirely different perspective for you, doesn’t it?
Some of you will remember the movie, “All The President’s Men” – which was the story of two, young and ambitious newspaper reporters with the Washington Post – who eventually broke the Watergate story. Their actions would eventually force the resignation of Richard Nixon, President of the United States. In one memorable scene, Jason Robards, playing Ben Bradlee is forced to confront the two reporters played by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. They have printed a story that is incorrect – and in the midst of it – beginning to doubt if they have enough of what is going to be required to uncover the conspiracy that will be traced to the Oval Office. Robards words still resonate today – 30 years after the film was released:
"You know the results of the latest Gallup Poll? Half the country never even heard of the word Watergate. Nobody gives a ****. You guys are probably pretty tired, right? Well, you should be. Go on home, get a nice hot bath. Rest up... 15 minutes. Then get your ***** back in gear. We’re under a lot of pressure, you know, and you put us there. Nothing’s riding on this except the, uh, first amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press, and maybe the future of the country."
Now, you crisis is not about the first amendment to the Constitution – its about something far more important! How you handle this is going to have a lifetime impact in several areas of your life – upon your children, upon your mate, upon your church, upon your reputation and even upon the Kingdom of God. Somehow, someway, somewhere – people are either going to be drawn into a relationship with Jesus Christ as a result of your decisions – or away from the presence of God because of how you conduct yourself right now.
In Esther’s case, all that was riding of her decision – was nothing less that the coming of our Lord – who, to fulfill prophecy – had to come from the seed of Abraham. If Haman had of succeeded, the Jewish people would have been wiped from the face of the earth. DO NO underestimate the seriousness of the choices before you right now. However, you can also draw additional home – the circumstances around you right now have been provided to not only get you safely to the other side – but, to enable you to fulfill the will of God for your life in this crisis.
CONCLUSION
Bearing all of this in mind – understanding three reasons why you can be more hopeful when this day ends that you may have been before it began, there is one great question to be asked.
How do you know what is the right decision to make - when a great crisis like this arises in your life?
Sometimes, that is an easy question to answer. The choices are so stark that there is no question what is the right decision to make.
More often, however, that is not the case. Take Esther’s situation for instance.
On one hand, she had a wonderful life as the Queen of one of the most important men in the world. There was nothing she could ever lack for the rest of the days. As far as the King knew, she was insulated from any knowledge of a plot to destroy the Jewish people. All she had to do was to mind her own business and in a few days, life would go back to normal.
However, even if no one else ever knew – SHE would have known that she could have attempted to do something to save her people. However, there was great risk in choosing to do the right thing. She risked offending the King and being killed before ever having an opportunity to ask for the lives of her people. Even worse, she risked exposure of her own Jewish heritage – and being destroyed along with the rest of the Jewish population.
Now, catch this most important application.
Esther’s choice teaches us the most important lesson of how to learn to make right decisions – not just in crisis but throughout all the days of your life. When in doubt, always err on the side of meeting the needs of other people. That is what Esther did. She determined it might cost her own life to do so – but, she was going to attempt to save the lives of others.
You know, when you get right down to the irreducible minimum of what life is all about – that’s it. You end up making choices that are about YOU or you make choices that are about OTHERS. And, that is interestingly enough, the story of the Christian life in a nutshell.
Its funny – what we think is going to save us – often destroys us – while what he think will rob us – ends up saving our lives. In fact, Jesus said this very thing.
25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:25)
It’s ironic what we discover from Esther’s decision. When you learn what you are willing to die for, then, at last, you have found what is worth living for.
In the recent movie, "About Schmidt" 66-year-old Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has retired from his job as an insurance actuary. He is miserable, and after his wife (June Squibb) suddenly dies, he is also lost. He travels the country in his RV hoping to stop his daughter’s (Hope Davis) marriage and to find purpose to his life. Throughout the movie, he writes his personal thoughts to a 6-year-old African child, Ndugu, that he sponsors for $22 a month.
As Warren is traveling back home in his R.V., he begins contemplating the meaninglessness of his life. (He shares he thoughts in letters to his 6 year old foster child).
Voice Over -
"I know we’re all pretty small in the big scheme of things. I suppose the most you can hope for is to make some kind of difference. But what kind of difference have I made? What in the world is better because of me?"
He briefly explains how he failed in trying to stop his daughter from marrying a loser. Then he says, "I’m weak, and I’m a failure. There’s just no getting around it."
He arrives home and picks up a stack of mail. The voice over continues: "Relatively soon I will die. Maybe twenty years. Maybe tomorrow. It doesn’t matter. Once I am dead and everybody who knew me dies too, it will be as though I never existed. What difference has my life made to anyone? None that I can think of. None at all. Hope things are fine with you. Yours truly, Warren Schmidt."
He sees an international envelope and opens it. The voice over changes to the voice of Sister Nadie Guchier (pronounced Goo-chee-ay).
"Dear Mr. Warren Schmidt. My name is Sister Nadie Guchier of the Order of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. I work in a small village near the town of Enbaya in Tanzania. One of the children I care for is little Ndugu Emu - the boy you sponsor. Ndugu is a very intelligent boy and very loving. He is an orphan. Recently he needed medical attention for an infection of the eye, but he is better now. He loves to eat melon, and he loves to paint. Ndugu and I wanted you to know he receives all your letters. He hopes you are happy in your life and healthy. He thinks of you everyday, and he wants very much your happiness. Ndugu is only six years old and cannot read or write, but he has made for you a painting. He hopes you will like this painting. Yours Sincerely, Sister Nadine Guchier."
Warren unfolds the paper and stares at it. We then see it. It is a drawing of two stick figures of a boy holding the hand of a man.
Warren stares at it and begins weeping. His tears of grief turn to tears of joy, knowing that his life mattered to a little African orphan boy. The movie ends.
Ultimately, this is how hope is derived in times of hopelessness. Not only are you, your time or your circumstances not an accident – if you will not give in to selfishness or give up to despair – God will use you THROUGH THIS to do something magnificently great for the Kingdom of God.
In the end, does it really matter HOW that happens? It may happen through some wonderfully serendipitous experience where everyone has flowers, and ice cream and goes home with a prize. But, most of the time, that is not how it happens. Its often in a time of seemingly hopelessness that the greatest demonstration of the power of God is revealed – and the lives of other people are transformed to greatness – because YOU chose to do something great for the Kingdom of God with your life. THAT is where hope comes from – today, tomorrow, forever until the end of time.
