We all know that obedience is important in anything in life. As a child, we understand that if we obey we will receive praise. If we obey our teachers, we stay out of trouble. Sometimes when we obey we are rewarded, and in Ephesians 6:2 we are told we will live longer if we obey our parents. Even though we know obedience is the best way to live, we struggle in many situations to obey. It is very hard to overcome our selfishness and do what is right when the flesh desires what is wrong. However, God demands obedience.
Esther was a great example of obedience. Her obedience was not because it was a comfortable thing to do. It was hard to stand alone and take a chance with your life. Yet, she did. Her people were facing certain death, a genocide of God’s people, unless they received a pardon from the King. Esther had no way to know what would happen when she approached the King. She knew it was probable that she would be killed, but she feared God more than man. She acted in obedience, and by doing so she saved a nation and received the best. At first, Esther was scared just like anyone else would be. She knew she had not been called to the King, and he could accept her or reject her. Mordecai reminded her that she could disobey and stay silent, but eventually, it would be revealed that she too was a Jew. Disobedience would eventually mean certain death, but obedience may bring death also. This was a chance she had to take.
Esther 4:11-13 “All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. And they told Mordecai Esther’s words. Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.”
Obedience is made easier when we realize that God uses everything in our lives for His divine purpose. There is no part of our lives that God does not care about and does not touch. He is in control and when we follow His lead and obey, even when we don’t understand, He will work things out for our good. It is to our benefit, both here and in eternity, to search out God’s will for our lives. To surrender to complete obedience frees us from worry. It is acknowledging His total control of our lives.
Esther was willing, and God took control. Her people were saved, God was exalted and those that opposed God’s people were found out and destroyed.
It is always best to do what is right, and never right to disobey because we fear the outcome. There is never a justification to do wrong.
