King Ahasuerus welcomed Queen Esther into his court. God ordained that this interaction would be operate in that way.

The news of Haman's plot against the Jews reached Esther, and Mordecai challenged her to do something about it. God will accomplish His will. The question is, will we be a part of it?

Mordecai and the rest of the Jews tore their clothes, lamented, and wore sackcloth and ashes once they heard the news of the Jews' impending annihilation. They turned to their God, the only one to whom they could turn in that moment.

Confusion set in the minds of Susa's residents when the evil genocidal plans of Haman and King Ahasuerus were made known. People didn't know how to process the news that the entire Jewish population would be annihilated. Neither do we.

Haman was a little man emotionally and mentally. He plotted against the Jews because Mordecai refused to bow down to him. He couldn't handle any opposition. Many worldly leaders operate the same way today.

God put Mordecai in a position to discover a plot to kill the King of Persia. He told Esther about the plot, and she told the king. As a result, Mordecai's name was recorded in the chronicles of the kingdom. God had good intentions then, and he still does now.

God is at work behind the scenes in the Esther story. We see his providential hand throughout. He put her in the position to be queen and gave her favor with all those in authority. He works in our lives the same way.

Queen Vashti refused the King's command to appear before his drunken buddies to show off her body. Her inspiring decision had significant consequences, but she was willing to pay the price for maintaining her dignity.

King Ahasuerus had it all -- money, fame, power, wealth. No one was going to stop him. We live in a day like his and have the same call as the Jews in his day -- live faithfully with our God.

Esther is a story for the exiles living away from their homeland. It's a story of survival. It's as applicable to us as it was its original readers.