Esther 1:12, “But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.”

Esther 2:5, “Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;”

Hello OTP family! Today I wanted to reflect on God’s masterful skills orchestration and planning. Understanding how God works as a wheel in the middle of a wheel (Ezekiel chapter 1). Revealing His omnipresence, omniscience, and supreme authority in what seems like insignificant details of our story, but are actually divinely ordered steps that take us where He needs us to be.

The origin story of Esther may be widely known to Christians everywhere, but I wanted to take a quick look at Queen Vashti. In truth, if not for Vashti’s decision to say no to the King, there would be no Queen Esther.

I am sure that when Vashti woke up that fateful morning she did not consider that it would be her last day as Queen. But her decision was crucial for God’s plan.

The Bible does not go into detail about why Vashti came to feel the way she did about appearing before the King and the many princes that were attending the celebration. It does not explain if she had concerns about her safely, dignity, or respect in that room. The only details provided was that it was a room full of drunken men. Speaking from a woman’s point of view, I can certainly understand if she did have concerns. However, all we do know is that she refused to go.

Her refusal was like a match thrown on a pile of kindling. It started a fire among all men that concerned them enough that they pushed the King to make a decree that would offer protection against any other woman who would dare to act disrespectfully towards their own husbands. This decision caused Vashti to lose her crown and to be banished from the King’s presence forever.

We don’t know what Vashti felt about the punishment as the story does not reveal that. We don’t know her fate after her banishment. What we do know is that the door was now opened for someone to take her place.

Look at how God worked His plan was to orchestrate things to facilitate Israel’s freedom:

• Vashti had to be removed.
• Mordecai had to be in the right place to recognize the opportunity for his adopted daughter.
• Esther had to be the type of woman who could capture the heart of the King. Truthfully, not just the king. She first needed to find favor with the keeper of the women.
• Esther needed to be made Queen.

Let’s consider these steps further. They involved so much in-depth planning by God.

• He had to get Vashti to the place where she willingly disobeyed the king.
• Mordecai needed to be in or to have the position to hear the plan.
• How many things had to occur that would require Mordecai to adopt Esther?
• What influences were required to make Esther into the right type of woman needed in this situation? Imagine the impact of life experiences needed to form her into this great woman of God?

This highlights the power and planning of God.

It also brings our own lives into focus. Yes, terrible things may have happened in our lives. No, I am not saying that God planned them for you. What I am saying is that God is able to take those things and still shape us into who he needs us to be – for His glory! Horrible things do not remove us from being used by God to help deliver His people. They actually make us better equipped to compel his people from a point of pain. Pain that has been transformed into strength because God has delivered and brought us through it!

Don’t allow the circumstances of your life thus far hold you back from the place(s) God is trying to take you to. God knows you are uniquely qualified for the job. You just need to see it in you too. Or at the very least not fight against the pull of God. Just go with it. I promise you it will be worth it.

Vashti or Esther? Each had a specific and important role to play to bring God’s will to pass.

Understand that God has a plan for each of us. Let’s decide to trust him even when we don’t see it, know it, or fully believe it. God is still God and He has never failed us.

We can depend on Him!!

Have a blessed day.