As we near the end of our alphabet of verses to live by, the only bible verse I know that starts with the letter ‘X’ is found in Esther 2:17 (Contemporary English Version): “Xerxes liked Esther more than he did any of the other young women.” It’s not really one of those top memory verses but perhaps it behooves us to look at some of Esther’s godly traits that led her to be so honored.
She exalted God. The Psalmist wrote, “exalt the Lord our God.” (Psalm 99:5) Esther exalted God by trusting and obeying Him even when speaking God’s truth may have threatened her own life. How about you? Is exalting God part of who you are? Beyond singing songs in church, is He lifted up and esteemed above all in your life? Do others know that you acclaim Him to be the One True God? I’m afraid my actions sometimes reveal I esteem God less than other things in my life. I need this reminder to exalt God in my daily life.
Esther trusted God because she knew His promises were true. As Peter writes, “eXceeding great and precious promises are given unto us.” (2 Peter 1:4) Maybe where you are sitting at this moment, it’s hard to see God’s promises as true. Perhaps you’ve asked and asked for His goodness to be revealed in your life and in others but see no answers. Maybe you’ve desperately lived a life of praise and thanksgiving and yet still feel empty and unfulfilled. The sorrows of life may be washing over you “like sea billows roll,” drowning you in their midst. But God is faithful. It is who He is; He cannot be untrue to His name. We see dimly now, but we will one day see clearly that his exceeding and great, true promises were, are, and will always be given to those who trust in Him, just as they were proclaimed and revealed in Esther’s life.
“Let us eXamine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40) It seems that Esther examined herself in the eyes of the Lord and with respect to her position before her King, Xerxes. She also examined the situation in which she was thrust. She trusted God who gave her an understanding of the times. In so doing, she commanded the respect of the king who offered her half of his kingdom in one request. Instead of boasting in such a great worldly gift, her humility and faithfulness brought about the salvation of all her people. We are well advised to examine ourselves before our great God, and consider our agendas in light of His desire to save those around us.
Exalt God in our daily life.
Examine ourselves in His sight.
Believe His exceeding and great promises are given to us.
Live the adventure of the cross as the ‘x‘ in your life!
