Evening Scripture

Esther 4
When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.

So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Evening Reflection 

Who knows? Who knows but that we are here for such a time as this?  As we review our days, we just might have to come to grips with a moment or event where we felt tempted to stretch beyond our personal comfort zone. We may have felt a nudge to share our faith with someone we just met. Or to pray over a stranger - the cashier at the market who was almost in tears, or upon hearing a heartbreaking story from someone we didn’t know well. Or even the temptation to give beyond our norm. Perhaps, we know we should confront someone about a situation – and we resist. Just as we know we should stretch our joints and muscles, so we are called to stretch the courage of our faith beyond our comfort level. We each have faced situations where we could – or should – have said something. Should have spoken up. We promise ourselves next time we will. Then the next time comes…and goes. And our own hearts break – for the other people and for staying silent. 

Esther was facing a challenging situation herself. One that was life-threatening. Her uncle, Mordecai, challenged Esther, who resisted. Mordecai then asked Esther if maybe, just maybe – she had come to her royal position in the king’s court for just this purpose. For such a time as this. Indeed, our lives may not be at stake, but we all have resisted the unknown outcome. Courage is not the absence of fear – courage is feeling the fear, the anxiety, and still stepping out in faith. And God has promised us that when we stretch out in faith, we may feel discomfort, but He will be with us. His grace is sufficient for us because His power is made perfect in our weakness. In our discomfort.  When we boldly step out in faith, we may be surprised by how a “good stretch” of our spiritual muscles can strengthen our entire spiritual life.

Evening Prayer

Father,
Thank you for your strength in helping me overcome my anxiety, my fear, in stepping out in faith. Thank you for the courage to be bold. While I may still feel discomfort, I know you will be with me. Guiding me. I know your Holy Spirit will give me the words I should say. I take comfort knowing you will help me overcome my discomfort.
Amen

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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

Evening Scripture
<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/esther/4.html">Esther 4</a> When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.&nbsp;But he went only as far as the king&rsquo;s gate,&nbsp;because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.&nbsp;In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
When Esther&rsquo;s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.&nbsp;Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king&rsquo;s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.
So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king&rsquo;s gate.&nbsp;Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.&nbsp;He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king&rsquo;s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.&nbsp;Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai,&nbsp;&ldquo;All the king&rsquo;s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned&nbsp;the king has but one law:&nbsp;that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter&nbsp;to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.&rdquo;
When Esther&rsquo;s words were reported to Mordecai,&nbsp;he sent back this answer: &ldquo;Do not think that because you are in the king&rsquo;s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.&nbsp;For if you remain silent&nbsp;at this time, relief&nbsp;and deliverance&nbsp;for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father&rsquo;s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?&rdquo;
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:&nbsp;&ldquo;Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast&nbsp;for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.&rdquo;
So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther&rsquo;s instructions.
Evening Reflection&nbsp;
Who knows? Who knows but that we are here for such a time as this? &nbsp;As we review our days, we just might have to come to grips with a moment or event where we felt tempted to stretch beyond our personal comfort zone. We may have felt a nudge to share our faith with someone we just met. Or to pray over a stranger - the cashier at the market who was almost in tears, or upon hearing a heartbreaking story from someone we didn&rsquo;t know well. Or even the temptation to give beyond our norm. Perhaps, we know we should confront someone about a situation &ndash; and we resist. Just as we know we should stretch our joints and muscles, so we are called to stretch the courage of our faith beyond our comfort level. We each have faced situations where we could &ndash; or should &ndash; have said something. Should have spoken up. We promise ourselves next time we will. Then the next time comes&hellip;and goes. And our own hearts break &ndash; for the other people and for staying silent.&nbsp;
Esther was facing a challenging situation herself. One that was life-threatening. Her uncle, Mordecai, challenged Esther, who resisted. Mordecai then asked Esther if maybe, just maybe &ndash; she had come to her royal position in the king&rsquo;s court for just this purpose. For such a time as this. Indeed, our lives may not be at stake, but we all have resisted the unknown outcome. Courage is not the absence of fear &ndash; courage is feeling the fear, the anxiety, and still stepping out in faith. And God has promised us that when we stretch out in faith, we may feel discomfort, but He will be with us. His grace is sufficient for us because His power is made perfect in our weakness. In our discomfort. &nbsp;When we boldly step out in faith, we may be surprised by how a &ldquo;good stretch&rdquo; of our spiritual muscles can strengthen our entire spiritual life.
Evening Prayer
Father, Thank you for your strength in helping me overcome my anxiety, my fear, in stepping out in faith. Thank you for the courage to be bold. While I may still feel discomfort, I know you will be with me. Guiding me. I know your Holy Spirit will give me the words I should say. I take comfort knowing you will help me overcome my discomfort. Amen
Want More?
If tonight&rsquo;s episode blessed you, be sure to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-nightly-scripture/id1896272962">follow the show</a> so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.

Your Nightly Scripture — 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Your Nightly Scripture

Finding Courage for This Moment (Esther 4)

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