Devotions Feb. 16th and 17th

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2009 -
ESTHER 2:1-11
In chapter one, Queen Vashti refused the command of the King. A seven day celebration and strong drink had made the King make a very bad decision to have the Queen parade herself and her beauty in front of a large group of drunken men. When she refused the King became very angry and he, and a group of drunken wise advisors decided to dispose of the Queen and choose another young, fair, virgin to be queen.
In chapter two a beauty contest is arraigned and this is where the workings of God begin to develop in full view. It is always interesting to me to see how God works, and it makes me wonder about nearly every situation that I find myself.
We have a lady by the name of Esther, a Jew, who was an orphan. Her mother and father had died and she was raised, as his own daughter, by her cousin Mordecai. She was a woman of great beauty and charm. Mordecai was one of the Jews who was taken away in the captivity from Jereusalem. Now both Mordecai and Esther find themselves at Shushan the palace. Have you ever wondered why you are where you are at this particular time. I have. I have found myself at a place that many times I ask the Lord what he is doing in my life. And I presume you have as well. One thing that I am sure of, that God has a reason for my life, and he has a reason for your life as well.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009 -
ESTHER 2:13-18
The other virgins required many ornaments and other things which they thought would appeal to the king, but Esther required nothing extra except what Hegai suggested. Perhaps her very simplicity made her beauty stand out more than all the others.
When she was taken to the king he indicated his love and favor toward her above all others, and set the royal crown upon her head. She was now the Queen, the lady that took the place of Queen Vashti.
How did Esther become Queen? By just being herself, being the woman that God had made, being the best that she could be, but still, just being herself. I know so many people that try to be someone other than who they are. They live in a land of make believe, always desiring to be someone they are not. An original is always more valuable than a copy. If you imitate someone, or try to be someone that you are not, the best that you can ever be is second best.
Esther became Queen, because that was the will of God for her life and being in the center of God's will is the greatest place to be, rather you are a Queen or a dishwasher, be what God wants you to be and be the best at it!