Imagine going into any sort of challenge—a basketball game, a big exam, a legal dispute—knowing with 100 percent certainty that you were going to come out on top. What confidence you would carry! That is how the Jewish people could now approach the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of the year. Esther chapter 9 describes the rest of the story—the final reversal, the final triumph, the final outcome of the central conflict. But before the author spelled out the details of the two-day battle (vv. 5–19), he summarized the significance of these events and the complete dominance of God’s people. Through the use of repetition and absolute language, the author also communicated the sovereignty of God working behind the scenes—even though He was not named. Notice the redundant nature of this report. “Now the tables were turned . . . The Jews got the upper hand . . . The Jews assembled . . . to attack . . . No one could stand against them . . . The people of all the other nationalities were afraid of them . . . All the nobles of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and the king’s administrators helped the Jews” (vv.1–3). As God’s people gathered and prepared to fight, they could face this conflict with utter confidence that—in His strength—they would prevail. The original audience, reading this account, would have found a similar courage to face their own foes, knowing that God’s hand was upon them just as it had been upon their ancestors. Our God is still as powerful as He ever was. Jesus destroyed death once and for all. His church has endured through the centuries. He has promised eternal life with Him. What shall we fear? “He has put all enemies under his feet” (1 Cor. 15:25). >> As was the case with Esther, God may be calling you today to step out with His courage and confidence. It can be a phone call you need to make, a conversation you ought to have, or a step of faith He wants you to take. Will you obey?