REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on November 28, 2015. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“I Hate Waiting”
Esther 5:1-8
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. [2] And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. [3] And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” [4] And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” [5] Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. [6] And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” [7] Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: [8] If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
We live in a culture where we do not like to wait. Everything is instant. You no longer have to wait until you get home to know if someone called or wait to find information on a certain subject because of the Internet. You can watch entire episodes of television shows in one sitting. One newspaper said it best:
“The demand for instant results is seeping into every corner of our lives, and not just virtually. Retailers are jumping into same-day delivery services. Smartphone apps eliminate the wait for a cab, a date, or a table at a hot restaurant. Movies and TV shows begin streaming in seconds. But experts caution that instant gratification comes at a price: It’s making us less patient.” – Boston Globe
When Esther hears about the evil plot of Haman to annihilate the Jewish people, with help of Mordecai, she comes up with her own plan. She decides to talk to the king, which was risky because she knew that if she approached the king uninvited, he could have ended her life. Determined, she tells the king that she has prepared a feast for him, and she wishes that Haman would come join them (v.4). In her planning, Esther demonstrated wisdom and did not hurry the process but rather waited on the Lord’s timing. She was not rash or impatient. She did not rush to the king or sell out Haman right away. Her self-control and boldness once again demonstrates her confidence in the Lord. Here are a few lessons for us today:
- As we plan our lives, we should wait upon the Lord to guide us. There is nothing wrong with planning out our own lives but as we do, we need to trust and wait on the Lord to discern His will. As we face decisions, wait for Him, and ask for clarity and wisdom. As we wait, spend time in prayer and the Word. Ask other people for wise counsel. Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
- When working through an unpleasant situation, trust the Lord for enduring patience. Think of the patience Esther must have had to refrain from telling the king about Haman when she had him in the very palm of her hand. In situations that are unpleasant, timing is as important as action, sometime more so. Have patience. Wait for the Lord to show you the way.
Prayer: Lord, as I face various decisions and plans in my future, help me to wait upon You. Help me to have patience and self-control, as I desire to hear Your voice. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Hosea 5-6