Remembering Our Past to Embrace What is to Come

Remembering Our Past to Embrace What Is to Come

Her heart raced, and her palms grew damp as she walked down the long corridor made of stone. She was stepping into a new season, and although she was fearful, she had to keep moving forward.

This lowly young Jewish girl was now a queen.

And glancing behind her to the path she’d just taken, she knew she was here for such a time as this.

When Things Are Hard

Esther was no stranger to difficult circumstances.

She lost her parents at a young age, lived in a culture where women were regarded as property, and she was now being forced to endure a year-long beauty process so that the king could decide if she was worthy enough to carry the title of queen.

But it didn’t stop there. Once announced as the new queen, Esther quickly learned of a scheme to wipe out all Jews – her lineage.

Thankfully, the likelihood of women like us enduring such a process to become queens of a Persian kingdom is slim; however, that doesn’t mean what we walk through isn’t challenging. What notable challenges are you facing today?

As daughters of Christ, we know the character of God; it’s written in our DNA. And we have the Holy Spirit, who now dwells in us, graciously reminding us of who we are and whose we are should we lose our way.

But how can we actively pursue our faith in times of difficulty and discouragement?

We must, like Queen Esther, look to the past to remember the times the Lord has shown up for us. The times He has been faithful to us. It is this act of remembrance that equips and empowers us to embrace what is to come.

Remember Your Faith

Isaiah 43:19 NIV says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Sometimes, in seasons of struggle, all we need to do is look up to reignite our faith.

God is constantly at work and always present. As Esther prepared to step into her new role, she recalled her holy inheritance.

She recalled the beautiful provision of God’s creativity when He created a new universe from the void.

She remembered when the Israelites were held captive and released, only to wander in the wilderness for 40 long years. Yet Jireh provided them with food they had never seen before; He nourished them with something new.

She recollected when the Egyptian army was chasing down the Israelites after the Pharaoh had a change of heart. Coming to a dead end at the Red Sea, God separated the waters down the middle and formed a safe passage for the Israelites.

In your current circumstances, where do you need to look back and remember all God has done so that you can look forward with anticipation to the new things God is doing?

Because if God did it for the Israelites and Esther, He will do it for you.

God is Doing a New Thing

God is always doing something new.

He is a forward-moving Father, refreshing the dry and thirsty places we find ourselves amidst.

Just as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, God forever casts His revelation upon our horizons, inviting us to follow His light.

And just as God has gone before us to prepare the way, He is also preparing our hearts, minds, and spirits for the journey, strengthening us to be women for such a time as this.

Friend, can I challenge you to be an Esther to those in your world? Let us resolve to be immovable as we seek God in the hard places. And in our strength, beauty, and wisdom, may we remember the crown – our inheritance –God so lovingly placed upon us.

Challenge: Where can you use your Esther voice for the oppressed? Volunteer at a shelter for women, fundraise for a cause close to your heart, or serve as a mentor in your church?

Image Credit by Reyna Ramirez Illustrations