Expect Favor

Mark and I were discussing a movie snippet we’d seen about the story of Esther (Book of Esther chapters 1-10). In the movie, the king looks so severe as Esther dares to come before him without being summoned.

To give you a little background, in case you haven’t read the book of Esther or haven’t for a while, Esther was a Jewish woman, who was chosen among many other women to be King Ahasuerus‘ wife. The bible says that even before Esther entered the year long preparation, she was “fair and beautiful” (Esther 2:7).

The bible states of Esther, “And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her” (v. 15). Anyone who looked at Esther gave her favor. The king loved Esther above all the women. He gave her grace and favor and made her queen (v. 17).

Later, the king’s advisors turned him against the Jews so that the king decreed that all Jews must be killed. At the time, King Ahasuerus didn’t know his wife was a Jew. Mordecai, Esther’s cousin who raised her, called on Esther to go to the king and ask that the Jews be saved.

Esther immediately recited the law to Mordecai, saying anyone who goes before the king who wasn’t summoned would be put to death unless the king extended his scepter to spare them. Esther was afraid to go to the king because he hadn’t called her in a month.

This is where Esther went wrong. Esther thought she was bound by the laws of the land. I’m not saying she should just flaunt the law and break it. I’m saying she thought it bound her in the same way it bound everyone else. Esther forgot about favor.

Many people like to cite the story of Esther as a reason to fast, so they can obtain favor in a given situation. I submit to you that Esther didn’t have to fast at all. This statement might shock you, but hear me out.

Look at those scriptures again. Esther came in the door already having favor—with everybody. The king loved her and gave her favor and grace. Can you imagine what his real reaction must have been when she walked into his presence. He’d already had the humiliation of a beautiful wife not wanting to come when he summoned her. His first wife felt she was too good to go.

The king now had a beautiful wife who was eager to see him before he called. Even on a human level, that must have been flattering. The bible says he loved her and made her queen. His much loved and beautiful wife already had favor with him.

Esther’s real reason for fasting wasn’t to save the Jews but to see past her own fears to the favor that was already in place in her life. Remember what Mortecai said to Esther before she fasted. He said:

“…and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Es. 4:14).

Mortecai could have said, you’ve come to the kingdom because God knew the Jews would come into danger, and you’re the one who will get them out of it. You were put in place with favor to save them!

When Esther walked into the king’s presence, he was thrilled to see her. He was eager to do her bidding. Not because she had fasted but because of who she was.

Do you see that? Esther was already in position, and so are we. We’ve been encamped round about with the favor of God. All we need to do is put our trust in Him and expect the favor to be present.

Psalm 5:12 says, “For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” You’ve already been given favor. It’s not something we have to strive for, beg for, work toward. God favors us and prepares the way.

Look for the favor of God because you already have it.

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