Esther 6 - Praying God's Word

Please read Esther 6.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/est/6/1/s_432001

Meditate on verse 3.

The king said, "What honor or dignity has

been bestowed on Mordecai for this?"

Then the king's servants who attended him

 said, "Nothing has been done for him."

This chapter has several themes, such as: “God’s Timing is Perfect,” “Do Not Think Too Highly of Yourself,” and “Pride Comes Before a Fall.”

Notice the stark contrast between Mordecai and Haman. God’s Word does not indicate Mordecai ever entertained the idea he should be recognized for saving the king’s life.  The thought of being honored probably did not cross the mind of this humble man of God. Haman, on the other hand, presumed that if someone was being honored, it must be him. How arrogant! And God, in His perfect timing, quickly raised-up humble Mordecai while promptly putting prideful Haman in such a lowly place, he would never rise to the top again.

Approach this passage of Scripture with humility, asking the LORD to reveal “Hamanish” attitudes lurking inside you. Ask Him to give you a Mordecai heart that does not seek honor for yourself, even if it is due, but instead helps others rise to royal position, like Mordecai did for his beloved Esther (Esther 2:11).

Pray for Haman’s words from Esther 6:6 never to cross your mind or come out of your mouth.

“My LORD and King, when You

 desire to honor someone,

do not let me presume that it is I. 

Let these words NEVER enter

 my mind or be on my lips:

‘Whom would the king desire

 to honor more than me?’

Keep me humble for the sake

 of Your name, King Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Esther 5 - Praying God's Word

Please read Esther 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/est/5/1/s_431001

Meditate on verses 7-8.

So Esther replied, "My petition and my request is:  if I have

 found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases

 the king to grant my petition and do what I request,

may the king and Haman come to the banquet

 which I will prepare for them,

 and tomorrow I will do as the king says."

As you continue to observe Queen Esther, notice her deferential tone as she speaks to the king. Her attitude and words so softened his heart that King Ahasuerus extended his scepter and promised to give her whatever she requested, up to half of his kingdom. Perhaps you could use some of her words as you speak to people who have authority over your life. Her words could even be said as you pray to the King of the universe.

Use the words from Esther 5:2, 4, and 8 as you begin your prayer time today as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please grant me favor in Your sight. 

As You extend Your scepter to me, I come near to You. 

If it pleases You, my King, may _______________.

If I have found favor in Your sight, my King,

and if it please You, my King, to grant my petition

 and do what I request, please ____________.

In Your name, King Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Esther 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Esther 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/est/4/1/s_430001

Meditate on verse 14.  Mordecai is speaking.

"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?" (NKJV)

The situation was unbelievably horrible—every Jew, in every province, in the entire kingdom of Persia was to be killed in a single day! Imagine you and your loved ones in that situation and the heart-pounding, knee- buckling fear it would invoke. The Jews responded with fasting, weeping, and wailing, crying for deliverance. They needed a miracle!

As Mordecai writhed in anguish, he had the presence of mind to see that perhaps God had already arranged for that miracle when He put a young, orphaned Jewish girl on the throne of Persia. Perhaps God wanted Esther to make a bold move for the sake of His people and His Kingdom.

What about you? If you are a Christian, you have come to the Kingdom of God for such a time as this. God has a purpose and a calling for your life, and if you choose to act in courageous obedience, the result will be eternal consequences for good.

Commit to fasting and praying for the sake of those God wants to deliver from the annihilation caused by sin. Be willing to do whatever God tells you to do “for such a time as this” (v. 14).

Pray Esther 4:14 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, do not let _________ and me remain

 completely silent at this time. 

Use us to bring relief and deliverance for __________.

 Do not let my family perish.

 LORD, You have brought us to Your

 Kingdom for such a time as this. 

Use us in Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

Esther 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Esther 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/est/3/1/s_429001

Meditate on verse 1.

After these events King Ahasuerus promoted Haman,

 the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and

 advanced him and established his authority

 over all the princes who were with him.

Haman, an archenemy of the Jews, was a descendant of the Amalekite King Agag, whom the LORD commanded King Saul to utterly destroy (1 Samuel 15). The Amalekites had been enemies of Israel since the time of Moses (Exodus 17:8-16).

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this

 in a book as a memorial and recite it to

Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the

 memory of Amalek from under heaven."

—Exodus 17:14

“Now go and strike Amalek and

utterly destroy all that he has,

and do not spare him.”

But Saul and the people spared Agag.

—1 Samuel 15:3a, 9a

Saul did not obey, and approximately 575 years later, Haman, the Agagite, issued the decree to totally annihilate all the Jews in a single day (v. 13). Do not take disobedience to God lightly; the ramifications can last for centuries, impacting innumerable people.

Notice Mordecai’s refusal to bow to Haman (vs. 2, 5). Not even a king’s command and letters carrying a death sentence persuaded him to bend the knee to this hater of God and His people.

Ask God to give you and those you love the courage of Mordecai to stand firm by praying Esther 3:2 as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, even when others bow down

and pay homage to Your enemies,

do not let __________ and me bow

 down or pay homage.

We bow only to You, King Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Esther 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Esther 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/est/2/1/s_428001

Meditate on verse 15b.

And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.

As you continue reading Esther, carefully observe the Godly, humble woman for whom the book was named, for she is one to be emulated.

King Ahasuerus began his search for a woman to replace Vashti  as his queen. A beautiful, submissive lady named Esther was the obvious choice. This Jewish orphan conducted herself brilliantly among servants and royalty alike. And despite her quick rise to royal position, she did not think more highly of herself than she ought, deferring to and paying homage to her cousin Mordecai, who had raised her as his own daughter (v. 7; Romans 12:3). God honored her behavior, giving her favor and compassion with the king and others in the royal court (vs. 15, 17).

Is there someone in your life to whom God wants you to defer, yet your pride keeps you from obedience? Is there someone in your life to whom you have not given proper credit, perhaps even stealing the limelight for yourself, when the recognition does not really belong to you?  Ask God to give you a humble heart like Esther. Give your need for recognition to Him and use the words from Esther 2:14-15 and 17 to pray for God’s favor over yourself and those you love as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, You know _________ and my situation. 

Please let ___________ delight in us and summon us by name. 

Let us find favor in the eyes of all who see us. 

Let us be loved by and find favor and kindness with ____________.

For the sake of Your Name and Kingdom, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Esther 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Esther 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/est/1/1/s_427001

Meditate on verses 3a and 4-5a.

In the third year of his (King Ahasuerus’) reign, he

 gave a banquet.  And he displayed the riches

of his royal glory and the splendor of his

great majesty for many days, 180 days.

When these days were completed,

the king gave a banquet lasting seven days.

Imagine a 187-day party! King Ahasuerus threw a grand party to show-off a lot of stuff to a lot of people. The last “thing” he wanted to boast about was his beautiful wife, Queen Vashti. On day 187, when he was drunk, he called her away from her girls’ party to be ogled at by the guys at his party (vs. 7-11). Vashti refused. Ahasuerus’ grand gala ended with a royal  thud.

Vashti’s refusal to submit to her husband’s drunken command probably came from her desire to protect her dignity, even if it meant losing her royal position and probably her life. Her decision is an illustration for Colossians 3:18:

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the LORD.

Wives are to submit to their husbands so long as what they ask is not contrary to what God says. God’s call to submission is actually a protective gift to women and brings Godly order to families. Even Christ was submissive to the Father, and wives are to follow His example (1 Peter 2:21-3:1-2).

Pray for husbands not to be drunken, arrogant Ahasueruses, and pray for women to give honor to their husbands using the words from Esther 1:4 and 20.

“LORD, please make _________ a Godly, humble husband

who does not desire to display the riches of his royal

glory and the splendor of his great majesty. 

Help all women to give honor to their husbands.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Philippians 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Philippians 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/phl/4/1/s_1107001

Meditate on verses 6-7.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything

by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer warriors, look at these verses.  If you have not memorized them yet, please do it today.  Look at all the things God wants to etch upon your heart and mind.

1.     Be anxious for nothing – do not worry about anything

2.     But, in everything, let your requests be made known to God by:

a.     Prayer

b.     Supplication - prayers for specific requests or needs

c.     Thanksgiving - faith that God is going to answer your prayers

3.     Then the peace of God

a.     That surpasses all comprehension

b.     Will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus

When you joyfully trust the LORD with your prayers, then you have God’s peace guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus! God does not want you to be a worrier about anything. Come to Him with everything.

Pray Philippians 4:4-7 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let _________ and me rejoice in You always! 

Let our gentle spirit be known to all men.

 LORD, You are near. 

Make us anxious for nothing, but in everything,

by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,

let us make our requests known to You, God. 

May Your peace, which surpasses all comprehension,

guard our hearts and our minds

In You, Christ Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell