Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (NIV) Esther 2:17
God is on the move in mysterious ways in Persia. He is sovereign. He is working behind the scenes. He is rearranging events and changing minds until His perfect plan is in place.
After the Queen Vashti disobeyed King Xerxes, she is removed from her position of queen. Four years later, the king holds a huge beauty contest to find his next queen. None of the previous candidates attracted the king sufficiently for him to make one his wife. But, after seeing Esther the king had no desire to continue his search for a queen. “The king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:17).
The king holds a huge banquet and proclaims a holiday throughout his kingdom to honor Esther. He releases the people from their work to celebrate. In addition, Xerxes distributes “gifts” liberally, as would befit such a powerful monarch.
A lesson we learn from Esther is to cultivate character no matter where you are!
- If you are in a bad marriage, cultivate character!
- If you are in a difficult job environment, cultivate character!
- If you are in a social environment that degrades Christians, cultivate character!
- If you are in a church that is sliding away from the Bible, cultivate character!
- If you are in a neighborhood where you are isolated because of your faith, cultivate character!
- If you are in a situation where there is jealousy and back-biting and competition, cultivate character!
No matter what your circumstance may be, cultivate Christ-like character. Be authentic. Live from the inside out. And no matter how silent or invisible God may seem, trust Him. He is always at work. His Kingdom purposes always prevail!
Think about it. How are you cultivating character? What is the biggest hindrance to cultivating character?
