Principles and Values
«Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16).
Esther was the last one to find out about the terrible news. Encouraged by Haman, King Ahasuerus decreed the death of all the Jews: young, old, children, and women and granted others the freedom to seize the Jews’ belongings. The efficient royal couriers reached all the provinces and caused great lamentation among the Jews, who began to fast, weep and wail (4:3). Esther found out about the consternation of her fellow Jews but did not know the reason for their reaction.
It was Mordecai, her cousin and adoptive father who sent her an explanation through her royal servants. In his message, Mordecai also begged Esther to go to the King to intercede on behalf of the Jews. The pressure placed on young Esther was extreme: obeying Mordecai meant truly putting her life at risk, due to the royal law which dictated that anyone who presented themselves before the monarch without being summoned was to be put to death, unless the King held out his scepter to them. Esther explained her dilemma to Mordecai but he insisted, «Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?» (Esther 4: 13, 14).
These words weighed heavily on Esther’s mind, making her see the magnitude of her responsibility. In the face of this tremendous pressure, Esther decided to risk her life and try to intervene to save her people. That’s when she uttered the historical words from today’s verse: «And so I will go to the king . . . and if I perish, I perish!»
Peter and Mario were very good friends and grew up in similar environments. During their teenage years, they both were pressured by their peers to try drugs. Peter refused their offer while Mario chose to use these substances which made his life very difficult. Maybe we don’t have to make decisions as difficult as Queen Esther’s, but whatever our dilemma may be, the Lord will help us make the best decision and He will see us through, though we may have to suffer for a period of time.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & AlejandraZavala
