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 as fearful as she was, 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 queen 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 moving, and He is always there. And as Esther prepared to step into her new role, she remembered her holy inheritance.
She recalled the beautiful provision of God’s creativity when He made a new universe from the void of nothing.
She remembered when the Israelites were held captive and released, only to wander in the wilderness for 40 long years. Yet Jireh provided them 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 Pharoah 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.
Where in your current circumstances 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 a new thing.
He is a forward-motion 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 is forever casting His revelation on 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?
