12.29 a profound lesson in holy restraint

Scripture Reading: “Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace… When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won his favor.” — Esther 5:1-2

The Wisdom of the Wait

In the moments of our greatest crisis, our instinct is often to rush. We want to speak our truth, demand justice, and fix the problem immediately. Yet, Esther teaches us a profound lesson in holy restraint. She did not storm the throne; she dressed in her royal identity and stood. She waited for the king to extend the golden scepter, acknowledging that her influence was not something to be seized, but something to be granted through grace and timing.

Even after gaining the king’s ear, she didn’t reveal her request right away. She waited until the second feast. Esther understood that moving in God’s guidance often looks like a slow walk rather than a frantic sprint.

The Mirror of Haman: A False Security

Contrast Esther’s quiet strength with Haman’s loud boasting. Haman had everything the world measures as success—riches, favor, and status. Yet, his peace was so fragile that the mere sight of Mordecai at the gate destroyed his joy.

Haman’s life reminds us that when we build our identity on our own “glory,” we become slaves to our circumstances. His anxiety led him to plot death, while Esther’s peace led her to preserve life.

Discerning the Divine Path

Our personal thoughts and impulses are often fueled by anxiety and the “need to know.” When we act out of uncertainty, we often overreach or speak too soon. However, God’s guidance is marked by a distinct inner conviction. It is the “still, small voice” that tells us when to stand still in the court and when to finally speak at the feast.

Reflection Questions

1. Where am I rushing? Is there a situation where I need to stop “storming the throne” and instead simply “stand in the court” and wait for the scepter to be extended?
2. What is stealing my peace? Am I like Haman, allowing one “Mordecai at the gate” to ruin the abundance God has given me?
3. Is it God’s timing or mine? Am I acting out of a conviction of peace, or the pressure of anxiety?

Prayer

Dear Father, please give me the discernment to know Your timing and the patience to wait for Your provision. Let my heart be moved by Your inner conviction rather than my own anxious ideas. In the name of Jesus, Amen.