A Hand in a Glove

O. T. #1094  "A Hand in a Glove"
Nov. 8, 2017
Esther 5-Part 2
And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.  Esther 5:4

LET IT GLOW

While my husband was down, allowing his new knee to heal, I could not stand it any longer. The yard had to be mowed after 3 weeks of growth. So I put on my gardening gloves and worked on the project. Even though it is a riding lawn mower, it definitely does not have power steering, nor is it one of those big boys that turn on a dime. I pulled and twisted the steering wheel, careful not to run over anything other than grass. (Was I so glad that the glove was protecting me of blisters.) At times, I put my whole body into the turns. Boy, did my shoulders feel it later. Also, I had to plan ahead when to turn the corners. Yes, the hand inside was certainly moving the glove. Esther had such an experience, too. Continue reading to see what I mean.

Darling Esther put on her beautiful queenly robes and walked to the entrance of the king's hall. Her sudden appearance without invitation could have meant death for her, but Xerxes bid her to enter. No doubt her appearance grabbed him, so the king held out his scepter to her, which allowed her entrance. Her touching its tip showed that she was grateful to that privilege.

The king asked his queen what she wanted, what her request was. He would grant it up to half of his kingdom. That was a custom of kings in that day, showing the person's request would be granted if it was within reason. With wisdom, Esther did not immediately ask for the termination of the Degree of Extermination. Instead, she asked the king and his prime minister to attend a banquet, that she had prepared, that very day. As soon as he could free himself, Esther wanted to spend with Xerxes.

Time was needed for other events to take place before her request. It was definitely not God's timing yet. Xerxes's heart needed to be prepared, made tender, soft, and favorable before she could accuse Haman, the Prime Minister. The royal court was not the place to expose the evil plot of the king's right hand man. Standing alone with those two would have better results. Esther had the chance to bring the roof down on Haman, but she used wisdom and waited for a better time. She was not in any hurry. Esther had been waiting upon the Lord. When we don't wait upon the Lord, we jump ahead, even run our mouth. Instead, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to control us.

At such moments, we're like a glove, and His hand is moving us wherever He pleases. (Swindoll)

Yep, Esther was allowing the Hand of God to move her. He used the very thing that she was good at.

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever he wishes.  Proverbs 21:1

No king ever intimidated God. He can handle anyone. That includes the person giving us grief. Any heart is like water in the Lord's hand. Are we waiting on Him to change hearts in our situation?

LET IT GROW

Did you realize that Esther had been preparing a meal while she had fasted? She had restraint there. Banquets were the king's thing. We recall the exquisite one he gave in the first chapter. Well, the three of them sat down to eat and get their tummies full.  Esther didn't point fingers, burst into tears, nor yell out accusations. When the king asked what his queen's request was, she simply invite the two men to another banquet tomorrow. Of course they accepted. After all, who could resist this beautiful lady and her meals?

God is full of surprises, so hang onto your hat. His timing required one more night and day.
Do we tend to forget that God is available to help us no matter our circumstances? He loves us and longs to help us.  Will we ask for it today?

LET IT GO

Be the glove in which God's hand moves me in His direction.
Depend upon God's timing.
Be still and listen.