READING: Esther 1-5
Esther, a Jew, was the queen. Haman, a leader in the government, sought a decree to have all the Jews killed. Mordecai heard about the decree and encouraged Esther to approach the king and plead for her people. That task — to approach the king unsolicited — was a frightening task indeed.
Esther’s response was to call for fasting as she prepared to speak to the king. This call to fast was not some means to manipulate God, but rather a sincere desire to seek God’s face for guidance and protection. This commitment surely included prayer as the people focused more on Him and His will than on their own safety; Esther herself was willing to die if that were the cost she would pay.
Fasting is evidence of one’s desire for God more than anything else, including the natural and necessary desire for food. While we may not start with a three-day fast like Esther requested, it is right for us at times to push away from our own tables to meet with God.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you need to fast about something today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, let me long for You and Your intervention more than anything today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Esther 6-10, Job 1