One of my favorite books of the Old Testament is Esther. Though God’s name is not to be found on the pages, He is seen and felt in every single chapter. As we know the story, Esther was asked by her uncle, Mordecai, “Who knows whether you are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” We can say with certainty, “Yes, she was!” Her people (the Jews) were being threatened of annihilation. After praying and fasting she was ready to go before the king, even though it meant she could perish. But she found favor in the king’s eyes and he held out the septre in his hand so she could touch it. At a second banquet which Esther requested the king come to, along with Haman (the king’s second in command and the one who plotted it all), the king again asked, “What is your request?”
Let me take a little liberty in her response: “Oh, king, how can I stand it? I and my people are threatened to be destroyed, to be slain and to perish. We’re not just going to be sold as slaves, but we’re gong to be annihilated and this Haman is behind it all!” Praise God for the deliverance He brought, all because one person was willing to take a stand.
As I consider the condition of our nation right now, I can’t help but feel we are under attack and being threatened, yes, with even the possibility of annihilation as we know our country. Satanic forces are at work like never before. We each are just one person, but can’t we be like Esther and pray and fast for our nation and come before our King with our request? We don’t have to ever worry about Him rejecting us as Esther did with the king. God’s septre is always held out to us!
You’ve heard it said, “United we stand, divided we fall.” I feel like never before we need to unite with Christ as our Standard, and pray that the godly principles this great nation was founded on will never perish. Pray for God’s continued blessings on us. Don’t you think we’ve all been “brought to the kingdom” (brought to this time in our nation’s history) for such a time as this? I can’t stand it to see what’s happening in our great country–the evil, the violence, the hatred. What will you do? Pray? Fast? Speak up? or play your hand with the roll of dice?
“If my people, which are called by me name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chron 7:14
It’s time to take a stand! There’s power in prayer.