Esther - A Woman God Used

We started a new bible study this week - "Becoming A Woman God Can Use - A Study on Esther" by Judith Couchman. I love the story of Esther and I especially love being able to delve into her life more in depth. If you ever have any doubt as to whether God controls the circumstances around you - or can use the choices YOU have made for HIS glory - read about Esther. She was taken in by a relative when her parents died, chose to be in the King's harem to be used for his sexual pleasure and by doing so encountered Lord only knows what. Yet when the time came, God was able to use Esther to save His people from death. As you read the story of Esther, you can see God's hand on so many areas that even Esther wasn't even aware of. How God worked so many circumstances together, all so his people could be saved. It's a short book in the Bible and yet reads like a great fictional tale, yet is true. The main character of course is Esther herself, but not because she fought a great battle, or defeated a giant, or even witnessed Jesus' resurrection. No, the story of Esther is awesome solely because God used her. Interestingly enough, God is never mentioned in this book by name. I think this is why this story resonates with me so dearly. How often in my life I can look back and see God's hand, when often I wasn't even in close relationship with Him. I was worried, yet God was working. I was crying out to Him "where are you?" and He was working. I was oblivious to His presence, yet He was working. He worked the circumstances in Esther's life out of love. He works the circumstances in my life out of love. He will work the circumstances out in your life, because of His deep abiding love for you.