Esther has become queen.  Haman has become angry with Mordecai (who would not bow down to Haman) and Haman has manipulated the king into signing a law that says that all Jews must die.  This Chapter opens with Mordecai and the Jews in fasting and grieving.    As you read this chapter, try to remember the last time you wondered, “Why me, Lord?  Why my family?  Why my pocket book?  Why my body?  Why me, Lord?” Esther Chapter 4 Mordecai Appeals to Esther 1 When Mordecai learned all that had occurred, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, went into the middle of the city, and cried loudly and bitterly. 2 He only went as far as the King’s Gate, since [the law]prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering the King’s Gate. 3 There was great mourning among the Jewish people in every province where the king’s command and edict came. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay on sackcloth and ashes. 4 Esther’s female servants and her eunuchs came and reported the news to her, and the queen was overcome with fear. She sent clothes for Mordecai to wear so he could take off his sackcloth, but he did not accept [them]. 5 Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to her, and dispatched him to Mordecai to learn what he was doing and why. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the King’s Gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened as well as the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews. 8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa ordering their destruction, so that Hathach might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and instruct her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead with him personally for her people. 9 Hathach came and repeated Mordecai’s response to Esther. 10 Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to tell Mordecai, 11 “All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned—[the]death [penalty]. Only if the king extends the golden scepter will that person live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last 30 days.” 12 Esther’s response was reported to Mordecai. 13 Mordecai told [the messenger]to reply to Esther, “Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king’s palace. 14 If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” 15 Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, night and day. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” 17 So Mordecai went and did everything Esther had ordered him.     Right about now, Esther is wondering if becoming queen was such a good idea.  “Why me, Lord?”  She might have thought of several dozen other women who would not have been afraid to approach the king.  She might have thought of what it was like back in her home before she went to live in the palace.  She might have thought of what it would be like to not be a Jew.  She would naturally be frightened. Mordecai warns Esther, “Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king’s palace. 14 If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” Reminds me of Joseph as he speaks to his frightened brothers (who had sold him into slavery): Genesis 45:7-8 (HCSB) 7 God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. 8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 50:19-20 (HCSB) 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. Joseph and Mordecai are both saying, “God is in control, not man, not you!  You might think that you are in control – or that some other human was the reason for your circumstance, but ultimately, God is in control and responsible for all things.” So what about us?  We aren’t patriarchs or queens – or are we?  We are the friends of God (John 15:15); we are princesses (Galatians 3).    Is God still in control?  Today in the Twenty-First Century?  Yes! Romans 13:1 (HCSB) 1 Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. Philippians 1:13 (HCSB) 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is for Christ. There is example after example in the Scripture – Old and New Testament – that God was - and is - always in control of our lives.  He is always working to bring about His purposes.  Another example is that of the blind man – Jesus said that the man’s blindness was not a result of sin, but that the glory of God might be shown!!!  It’s all about Jesus and His Kingdom.  Not us and our plans and wants. Esther became queen because God knew the whole picture.  Joseph was allowed to be sold into slavery because God knew the whole picture.  Paul was allowed to be imprisoned by the Romans because God wanted the Gospel offered to them too.  The man was blind from birth so that God’s glory might be shown!! Sisters Who Care, sometimes, that is the only reason that we can carry on:  that the Glory of God May be Shown!!!  When that interruption comes, when that boss is unreasonable once more, when you are persecuted, ridiculed, deprived of sleep, deprived of funds… When that car breaks, or that washer or dryer doesn’t work, or that toilet clogs up one more time… Our job is not to always understand “Why,” but to respond in a Christ like Spirit so that the Glory of God may be shown.  Maybe the next great evangelist or  that next committed missionary is watching your response.  Maybe the soul that hasn’t decided what they think about Jesus is watching your response.  Maybe the soul that is on the brink of suicide (but has a cheery voice) is on the other end of the phone. We have our marching orders.  We were not born to be pretty and have all of our needs met.  We were not saved to sit and sour!  We were saved to SERVE!  So serve, Ladies!  Wherever and However!  SERVE!!!  SERVE!!!  YOU were called for such a time as THIS!!! Pray with me: **Lord, I will do anything that your kingdom requires of me.  Wherever you want me to be, I’ll go.  Whatever the circumstances, I’m willing to follow.  If you want to meet a need through my life, I am your servant; & I will do whatever is required.  Amen.  ***     ***copied from Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby