nothing waisted

Esther 2:19-23
Matthew 10:28-31
2 Corinthians 4:7-18

I’ve always felt a special connection with Esther. Maybe it was the Bible study I did in middle school, or the movie I saw with my best friends as a young teenager, or maybe the tattoo I have from her story: “for such a time as this” from when I was in Kenya. (You bet your bottom dollar I got a tattoo in Africa and lived to tell about it!)

For whatever reason, Esther and her story have always held a special place in my heart, so writing about her and God’s redemption story in this book of the Bible feels second nature to me, as if I’m typing out my own life description here.

One detail that has always captured me about Esther, is how God’s name isn’t mentioned even once in the entire book. An entire book in the Bible without one mention of God’s holy name?! Yes! But His silence amplifies His presence.
Here, in absence of His written Name, we catch a glimpse of how He works through minute details and His people to bring about His redemption story.

In one brief recording, we see God’s perfect timing and attention to detail to save His people. Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gates when he heard of a plan to kill King Ahasuerus. Two of his eunuchs were angry with the king and plotted to kill him.
God, in His intricate attention to detail, placed Mordecai at the gate where these eunuchs ‘just so happen’ to discuss their plan.
Mordecai would ‘just so happen’ to have an “in” with Esther, who was now Queen, and told her what he’d overheard and the King’s life was saved!
Then the King would ‘just so happen’ to ensure this was recorded in the book of the chronicles, which would later play a tremendous role in promoting Mordecai.

Maybe this little rabbit trail of a story doesn’t seem important, but it is.
Because nothing is wasted with the Almighty.

Mordecai was later honored for life-saving act, which would become a tipping point for a man called Haman, whose goal was to eradicate every Jew.
Like divinely placed dominoes, God then used King Ahasuerus to help save the Jews from annihilation. Which, of course, he needed to be alive to do!

The book of Esther so obviously points us to the cross, when God would piece together so many small, seemingly insignificant details to ultimately save His people again…
This time, however, that salvation would not be for Jews alone, but for all people across all time.

Just like it was so easy to believe darkness had won when Jesus died on the cross, it may appear like darkness would win in Esther’s story as well.
The king was to be killed.
The Jewish people would be destroyed.
Darkness would win!
But our God works in the details.

Jesus was to be killed.
His disciples were too afraid to show their faces.
Christianity would die.
Darkness would win!
But our God works in the details.

You and I are dead because of our sin.
We have no hope for earning our way out of Hell.
Our destiny is separation from God.
Darkness would win!
But our God works in the details.

He’s in the details as you’re reading this Journey Study, as you pick up your Bible, as you connect with someone who loves Jesus, as you are encouraged by a friend, as you encounter God in the tiniest whispers.
Because our God hand-crafted the details to point you to His heart of love and redemption.

Nothing is wasted.
Darkness will never win over Light

Esther became the new queen.
Details.

Mordecai helped save the king.
Details.

Esther boldly told the king of Haman’s plot to kill the Jews.
Details.

With so many more details intertwined throughout the entire book (and really, the entire Bible), how can it not be the hand of our Mighty Creator?

Does this theme feel new to you?
Do you ever wonder where God could possibly be in the midst of the darkness that seems to be winning in your own life? I’ve wondered, too. 

He’s there. I promise He is.
He’s teaching us patience, perseverance, and trust as we wait for His story of redemption to unfold.

He is in the details, even when He is silent.
He’s simply giving room for His presence to be magnified,
so one day we can look back and say,
“You were there, God. You were in it all.” 

Darkness will never overcome.
The God of the details has already won!

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Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Esther Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Esther!