"Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my people will be spared. For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king.” Esther 7:3-4
Did you know that the book of Esther does not mention God's name directly one time? It is true. While God's name is never overtly mentioned, we do not have to read this book of the Bible long to see God's handiwork throughout the entire book. One of the key takeaways for readers of the book is this: God is in control. This is good news for us in a world that constantly feels like it is spinning out of control. Even in moments of chaos and confusion, we can trust that God controls everything.
We read in Esther 7 that Haman, the king's chief official learned what Esther already knew: God is the one who is in control. You see, Haman had been trying to control his situation. He was angry that one of the king's officials, Mordecai (a Jew), would not bow down to him as he had been instructed to do because of his faith. As a result, he devised a plan to destroy not just Mordecai but all of his fellow Jews. He was able to convince the king to sign an order to have all of the Jews killed. The only problem was that Esther, the queen, was a Jew, and no one realized this fact. Haman worked hard to see the destruction of Mordecai and his people. He tried to control this situation using his power, influence, and expertise. He did not realize that he was not in control because God was still moving and working. He was working through Esther. Esther, who had captivated the king's heart, went to the king to ask for help. She invited him and Haman to two banquets. During the second banquet, she begged the king to help her people, the Jews. The king was distraught at the plot against Esther and her fellow Jews, and it was immediately clear that he would not let this happen. Haman's plan fell through. He tried to control his situation but learned that only God is in control.
My friend, if you find yourself in a difficult and impossible situation, look to God. He is all-powerful and all-knowing, and He is in control. You can rest in this truth today and turn to Him. After all, He can be trusted, and nothing can manipulate His plan. So let go of control and turn to Him today.
Write down the phrase "God is in control" on your mirror with a dry-erase marker if you have one or on a notecard. If you write it down on a notecard, place the notecard somewhere you will see it often. Let this simple but profound phrase remind you that God is in control and can be trusted through everything, the good times and chaotic times.
"So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet. 2 On this second occasion, while they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “Tell me what you want, Queen Esther. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”
3 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor with the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my request, I ask that my life and the lives of my people will be spared. 4 For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king.”
5 “Who would do such a thing?” King Xerxes demanded. “Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?”
6 Esther replied, “This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy.” Haman grew pale with fright before the king and queen. 7 Then the king jumped to his feet in a rage and went out into the palace garden.
Haman, however, stayed behind to plead for his life with Queen Esther, for he knew that the king intended to kill him. 8 In despair he fell on the couch where Queen Esther was reclining, just as the king was returning from the palace garden.
The king exclaimed, “Will he even assault the queen right here in the palace, before my very eyes?” And as soon as the king spoke, his attendants covered Haman’s face, signaling his doom.
9 Then Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Haman has set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination.”
“Then impale Haman on it!” the king ordered. 10 So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided."
