“God Gave Me Courage To Speak Up”
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Hope writes:
I love the book of Esther!!! - The book of Esther reminds me of how to have courage in difficult times.
I once cared for someone in my church very much until he became verbally abusive to me.
In that moment when he was verbally abusive, God gave me the courage to speak up. It’s unusual for me to speak up in a situation like that and this is why I love the book of Esther.
God gave Esther courage … and God gave me courage, too.
Lovingly submitted,
Hope
Please note that the views expressed in this story are not necessarily the views of the American Bible Society. Story posted on July 17th, 2008 and filed under God's Love, Hope, Bible, Praise, Verses, Your Stories, Grace.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Dear Hope:
Your “courage in difficult times” magnificently reflects Esther, a woman of clear judgment, of superb self-control, and capable of the noblest self-sacrifice.
Although the Hebrew text of the Book avoids the name of God, and appears to lack a discernible religious motif, your quoted verse is an implied allusion to God’s promise, the outpourings of Divine Providence in the elevation of Esther and Mordecai to positions where they could rescue their fellow Jews.
The religious element displays itself. Esther’s fast could have no object but to obtain God’s favor and protection in the dangerous course on which she was about to enter.
Esther certainly echoes the New Testament sentiments:
“You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50).
“But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written will come true: ‘DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY’” (1 Corinthians 15:54).
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).
Thank you.
May GOD ALL MIGHTY Bless you infinitely and inestimably;
GODSPEED, always and forevermore!
Mary Sun.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Dear Hope,
You did the right thing by having the courage to
not accept the verbal abuse in your life. The
good thing is you recognized it for what it was,
and took your stand against it. Proverbs 17:27 says,
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of
understanding is of an excellent spirit. We are
exhorted to be GENTLE and KIND to one another.
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christs sake has forgiven you.
I am soooo proud of you that you are choosing to
recognize the abuse and are understanding you do
not have to live with it.
I pray you make wise choices in your relationships
and please don’t settle for anything less than the
Abundant life the Lord has offered us!
Love in Him, TJ
July 19th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Thanks TJ - I love you for your response to my testimony.
Sincerely,
Hope
July 21st, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hi Sweetness,
I love you too precious. Always remember that you
were fearfully and wonderfully made! Just think
Hope, as daughters of the most High God, Yaweh, our
lineage goes all the way back to the father of our
faith, ABRAHAM. Plus:
Ist Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priethood,
an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
show forth the praises of him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Hope, you are royalty precious. All of us need to
fully UNDERSTAND who we are in the KINGDOM OF GOD!
You WILL be treated like a queen…be patient…
the Lord will provide.
Yours in Him !
your sister in the faith, Teresa J.
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
You were absolutely GREAT! No need to accept verbal or any other kind of abuse. Good for you, and thankfully your inspiration came from the Bible itself! God bless you and keep up the good work.
August 12th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Thank TJ - you are always my inspiration. I print and keep your responses. Hope
August 12th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Thank Davis C Bruce for your comments I am comforted to know that a man can understand women are not meant to be treated negatively.Rather the contrary, we should be treated as God treats us, as His very own, Queen’s.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Hello Hope !
I know you are living the abundant life because
that is a part of Kingdom Reality living. We
are fully aware of who we are in the Kingdom of
God.
You just always remember, you are beautiful,
both spiritually and physically. Do NOT let
stresses, anxieties, bitterness, anger, regrets,
or negative past experiences cloud over your
logic, rationale, and flexible intelligent thinking. This helps me very much:
Philippians 4:8
FINALLY BRETHEN, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE,
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST, WHATSOEVER THINGS
ARE JUST, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE, AND WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT; IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE, AND IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE, THINK ON THESE THINGS.
We are to keep our minds clear, sharp, and allow
the Holy Spirit to abide in us, in a clean vessel.
I love you my precious, and take good care of your
beautiful self, okay?!!!
Love, Ms. Teresa Johnson
August 12th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hi Hope: Thanks for your comments about MY comments :)