Blessings After the Stand

One Year Later...

Queen Esther stood on the balcony. The same balcony she stood on last year right before she stormed the king's court.

So much had happened in the last year. After they had added to Haman's edict that the Jewish people could fight back, a huge burden had lifted from the hearts of the people. They had rallied together to fight this battle not just in the capital city, whose victory alone was incredible, but across the whole kingdom! King Ahasuerus had granted her request to extend the edict by one day, and all of Haman's sons were hung on the gallows that second day as well.

Yahweh had blessed them so much that Mordecai had suggested they write a decree declaring those days a holiday, Purim. For Yahweh had turned that time from mourning into gladness and feasting.

Also, with all secrets forever laid to rest, Mordecai had advanced in the kingdom. He was now second in rank to King Ahasuerus. He was great and popular among the people. Everyone loved him. He didn't command respect, he earned it by serving the people. He put their welfare first, and always encouraged peace among them.

Today was the first day of Purim.

A fresh breeze played with her loose tresses, sending them playing across her nose. The air smelled like new beginnings. Oh, there was such a joyful swelling in Esther's spirit! She wanted to twirl and dance or do something!

All she had done was stand for Him. All any of them had done was stand for Him, fight for Him, choose Him. But Yahweh had still seen fit to bless His people.

She knew she had better go meet Mordecai and her husband for the celebration, but not before casting her eyes Heavenward, thanking Yahweh again for all His blessings and provisions to one such as her.

Based on Esther Chapters 9 and 10.

"O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!" Psalm 3:1-8

Wow! Is there a better description of what Mordecai and Esther experienced? Their foes rose against them, popping up all over the place. Fortunately, God was their shield, their glory, their protector, and their salvation. God stuck down all their enemies, and He greatly blessed His people. They had not one, but two days to fight back against their enemies. They were so victorious that those days became a holiday known as Purim.

All their stands, big and small, mighty and tall, brought them to this place. The place where God lifted up their heads. He didn't want them to be gloomy and downcast anymore. He honored their stands by giving them a salvation plan and lots of blessings. For crying out loud, Mordecai was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and "great among the Jews!"

We have a million and one, good and right reasons to stand for God. If we will be faithful to Him in those dark, terrifying situations, if we will remain standing for Him, then He will see our stands. They are never forgotten, ignored, or done in vain. He sees every stand we make for Him, and because they bless Him, He blesses us.

"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!" Psalm 40:4

Don't listen to the lies that tell you faith in God is foolish. Make the Lord your trust and be blessed. It's a beautiful cycle. Amen.