Does real truth exist? It does. It exists outside of your opinions. It has existed with neither beginning nor end. Truth has no taste for tolerance. Truth is not in the business of being nice to people, or seeker-sensitive. Truth is in the business of truth...in the business of saving people from the death to come.
Six Characteristics of Strength and Dignity Displayed by Esther
First, Esther exhibited a grace-filled charm and elegance.
"Now the young lady [Esther] pleased him [Hagai] and found favor with him. So he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and food, gave her seven choice maids from the king's palace, and transferred her and her maids to the best place in the palace." - Esther 2:9
Second, Esther exhibited an unusual restraint and control.
"Esther did not make known her people or her kindred, for Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make them known" - Esther 2:10
Third, Esther sustained a continually teachable spirit.
...Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make them known... Esther had not yet made known her kindred or her people, even as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther did what Mordecai told her as she had done when under his care. - Esther 2: 10, 20
Fourth, Esther exhibited an unselfish modesty and authenticity.
"Each young woman's turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months' preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women. Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the women's quarters to the king's palace. In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who kept the concubines. She would not go in to the king again unless the king delighted in her and called for her by name.
Now when the turn came for Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her as his daughter, to go in to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her." - Esther 2:12-15
Fifth, Esther modeled a kind winsomeness, regardless of her surroundings
"...And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her. So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti." - Esther 2:15b, 16-17
Sixth, Esther displayed a humble respect for authority.
"Then the king made a great feast, the Feast of Esther, for all his officials and servants; and he proclaimed a holiday in the provinces and gave gifts according to the generosity of a king.
Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him." - Esther 2:18, 20
"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7
One Of Those Days
Have you ever had one of those days when...
Your world seemed to be spinning;
Spinning out of control and out of reach?
One moment you glimpse a joyless face,
The following moment it is too late to comfort
One moment you feel something needs to be said,
The following moment you've lost your chance to say it...
These are the days when I feel so alone,
I feel no one truly understands me
But on these days I realize,
There is one who completely knows me
Have you ever had one of those days when...
Everything you said and did was misinterpreted;
Misinterpreted in a way that brought pain to others?
One moment you try to bring a smile,
The next instant you see it only inflicted injury
One moment you try to lend a serving hand,
The next instant you see it only brought discomfort...
These are the days when I feel so alone,
I feel no one truly understands me
But on these days I realize,
There is one who completely knows me
One who is in complete control
[.ajaelh.2004]
