We are positioned in the palace for a purpose!
In Living the God-Story Part 1, we learned three truths. When the odds are stacked the stage is set, every good story has a Haman, and we are positioned for a purpose! The question that we will answer today in Part 2 of this teaching is, “How do we take hold of our God-story opportunity like Esther did?” Let’s take note of three key things that she did.

1. She issued a fast. (She dealt with her inner-reality.)
Esther 4:16 – “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do.”

Like Esther, we’ve got to humble ourselves before God and prioritize our relationship with him over all other comforts. We’ve got to “get spiritual with it,” as Pastor Scott Thomas says. We are spiritual beings and receive life, clarity and direction as we connect with our spiritual God. Periodically, we have to break away from the hustle and connect with God. Then, we will be able to receive his direction for what to do.

2: She put on her royal robes. (She got outwardly prepared.)
Esther 5:1 – On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall.

It was her royal robes that immediately captured the favor of the king. He was very attracted to her. In the book of Romans we see how we are to do the same thing.

Romans 13:13-14 says,  “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.  Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The royal robe we wear is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that we are the pleasing aroma of Christ to God. When we are clothed in him, we receive God’s favor and acceptance. This is how we get outwardly prepared. In our behavior and in our lifestyles, we are to live as Jesus lived. We pursue a lifestyle where our actions are pleasing to God.

3. She boldly approached the throne of the King. (She went for it!)
Hebrews 4:6- Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

When she went before the king, he welcomed her with favor. That is how our God welcomes us when we approach him in prayer. The salvation of Israel in this story all began when she approached the throne of the king. It is the same with us. Every victory we will experience, every miracle we will see- it all begins – is set in motion – when we approach the throne of God in prayer.

If we are to live out our God-story, every mission must begin at the throne of the King. That is where we honor Jesus Christ as supreme over everything!

Esther dealt with her inner reality,
she got outwardly prepared,
and then she went for it!

What better place to begin any mission than at the throne of the King? Once you’ve been there, who can stop you? He has all the power! I hope you are encouraged today by the story of Queen Esther, I certainly am!

In summary, we can trust that when the odds are stacked against us, the stage is set for God to be exalted. We know that even the worst Hamans we face will ultimately serve to reveal the power of God in incredible ways. We know that we are positioned in the palace for a purpose that is bigger than ourselves. And we are not in the dark as to how we will live out the God-story for our lives. Like Esther, we will deal with our inner reality, we will get outwardly prepared, and we will go for it! We will begin every decision, every action at the throne of Jesus Christ. Like Esther, we will live out our God-story!