At the beginning of the week we began a week long series of devotionals honoring women as Mother’s Day quickly approaches this Sunday.
Throughout the Word of God women played a significant role in society despite what many believe was a culture of suppression.
The influences women had on their spouses and their families, the decisions they made while trying to remain obedient to God, and the relationships they had with others had, and still have, significant impacts on the way our world is today.
From Eve to Sarah, to women like Rahab and Ruth, Naomi and Esther, to Mary the mother of Jesus. We can celebrate the lives of the women of faith, whether mothers or not, as we thank God for the role women play in our lives.
Today we celebrate a woman who showed great courage.
Like Ruth, this woman had an entire book of the Bible written about her story – her name is Esther.
Scripture describes Esther as a beautiful woman who impressed everyone who laid their eyes on her.
While her physical beauty caught their attention, it was her inward beauty that pleased God the most.
She was an orphan girl who was cared for by her uncle, Mordecai.
The love Mordecai displayed to Esther was not left unnoticed as Esther remained in contact with him and committed to him even after she had become a queen.
Esther was married to King Xerxes I and to protect the Jewish people, Esther fasted and prayed before presenting her request to her husband to spare the Jewish people.
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:16
Xerxes’ chief minister, Haman, had planned a massacre of the Jewish people; however, Haman was hanged to death and it was the Jewish people who destroyed their enemies.
This day is commemorated by the feast of Purim.
Thanks to Esther’s courage to approach her husband, the king, and make a request, she saved the entire nation of Jewish people.
May God bless all women who display courage in our world and may he give courage to those who seek it.