WAIT FOR THE BEST TIME
«The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass» (Proverbs 19:12).
King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) was the most powerful monarch of his time. He ruled the Medo-Persion Empire from 486 to 465 BC. The sovereign was surrounded by military advisers and counselors. One of the closest to him was Haman, a descendant of the Amalekites, who had a deep resentment toward the Jews.
The Bible says that Ahasuerus took Esther, a young Jew, as his second wife without knowing the girl’s ethnic origin. Mordecai, the young woman’s cousin, who had raised her as a daughter, also served in the court. Every time Haman saw the Jewish courtier, he felt an enormous rage and thought about how to get rid of that man and his people. So one day he hatched a plan to annihilate the Jews with the emperor’s endorsement (Esther 3:8, 9).
Ahasuerus accepted Haman’s request and told him that he could do with the people as he pleased.
What would the Jews do to defend themselves? Many ambitious people planned to destroy their homes and keep their money. However, the queen herself was a young Jew. So Esther decided to act. However, she could not accede to the presence of the king, on the penalty of death, without his calling for her, unless he extended his scepter to her. Subtly, she planned a way to ask the monarch about the enormous injustice that was being committed. With great courage, she said: «I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if 1 perish, I perish!» (Esther 4:16).
Days later, Esther appeared before the emperor’s presence, who extended his scepter to her. The queen invited him to a banquet along with Haman, his trusted man. Later, Esther organized another feast with the same guests. At that time she revealed to the king her Jewish origins and the way Haman had deceived him in order to destroy her people. Haman’s face suddenly grew pale. The monarch looked at him with flaming eyes. He felt tricked by his closest collaborator. Then, by royal order, Haman died on gallows that he himself had prepared for Mordecai. The king also issued a decree granting the Jewish people the chance to defend themselves against their enemies.
You need to know how to say things in front of people who have authority. Hasty and untimely requests can be very risky. You especially need to know how to wait for the best time. Esther knew when to act and she had success. Ask the Lord to help you find the best time to say things.
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Youth 2020
«A New You»
From: Alejandro Medina Villareal
Collaborators: Gezer Noria & Misael Morillo
Radio Joven Adventista
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