TRANSITION #1 – Esther the Alien
Esther set aside her heritage to enter into God’s holiness. Esther gave up her name, values, and her virtue. Esther was favored by everyone (providence of God)
TRANSITION #2 – Esther the Ally
“Esther gave the messenger this answer to take back to Mordecai: ‘Go and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa and fast for me; for three days take neither food nor drink, night or day, and I and my maids will also go without food. Then in defiance of the law I will enter the king’s presence, even if it costs me my life.’ So Mordecai went away and did as Esther had bidden him.”Esther 4:15-17
Esther recalls her spiritual discipline and intercedes on behalf of her people to God. Esther remembers whose and who she was. Fasting and prayer (Read both Mordecai’s and Esther’s prayer)
TRANSITION #3 – Esther the Avenger
“So the king and Haman went to the queen’s banquet. Again on that second day, over the wine, the king said, ‘ What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? What is your petition? You shall have it, up to half my empire.’ Queen Esther answered: ‘If I have won you majesty’s favor, my request is for my life, my petition is for my people. For it has come to my ears that we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, plundered, and enslaved, we and our children, male and female. Our adversary is a disgrace to the king’s court.’ The king said, ‘Who is it that has dared to do such a thing?’ ‘Our enemy’, said Esther, ‘is this wicked Haman.’ Haman stood dumbfounded before the king and the queen. The king rose from the banquet and went into the garden, and Haman began to plead with the queen, for he saw that things were going badly for him. When the king returned to the banqueting hall from the garden, Haman in his entreaties had flung himself across the queen’s couch. The king exclaimed, ‘What! You assault the queen in my own house?’ At those words Haman turned away in despair.” Esther 7:1-6
Lasting Thought
In the midst of trials and tribulations trust God during the transitions to demonstrate that His promises and purposes cannot be thwarted.