Esther 4

1. William Wilberforce

2. Today
‘Courage in the
face of adversity’
Esther 4
‘Esther – a beauty that’s more than skin deep’

3. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered
Est 3:15b

4. Grief in Esther’s day
When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly ... In every province … there was great mourning among the Jews … Many lay in sackcloth and ashes
Est 4:1-3
People grieve in different ways

5. Grief in our day
‘An important normal response to the loss of any significant object or person’
People grieve in different ways
“Grief is the price we pay for love”
The Queen (2001)

6. Stage 1 - Shock/Numbness
Grief is a process
Stage 2 - Fantasy/Reality
Stage 3 - Release of grief
Stage 4 - Acceptance/Readjustment

7. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Cor 1:4
Supporting others through their grief

8. “Whoever thinks s/he has the ways of God conveniently tabulated, analysed and correlated with convenient, glib answers to ease every question from aching hearts has not been far in the maze of mystery we call life and death”
Vance Havner
Supporting others through their grief

9. Be present and available
Supporting others through their grief
Gently encourage to express feelings
Listen carefully
Help make decisions
Provide practical help
Pray if appropriate, but don’t preach!

10. The LORD is close to the broken-hearted;
He rescues those who are crushed in spirit
Psalm 34:18

11. I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish
John 11:25-26
The triumph of the Christian message

12. "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away."
Rev 21:3-4
For the Christian, death isn’t the end …

13. “The Christian church is the only society on earth that never loses a member through death!
As a Christian, I believe not just in life after death, but in life through death”

14. When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress.
She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them
Est 4:4
It takes courage to make a stand for God

15. ‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’
Est 4:13-14
It takes courage to make a stand for God

16. ‘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 attendants 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’
Est 4:16
It takes courage to make a stand for God

17. “I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but I can do something.
And that which I can do,
by the grace of God, I will do”
D L Moody