Thank you Christel for yesterdays thought we are now returning to Esther…

“So the king and Haman went to Queen Esther’s banquet, 2 and as they were drinking wine on the second day, the king again asked, ‘Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.’ NIV

This is now the third time, according to the Biblical record, that the king has said essentially the same thing to Esther (verse 2; see also 5;3 and 6). His words were not to be taken literally, but it was a way of expressing the generosity of his heart towards his bride. He loved her and he was encouraging her to ask big because he was willing to give big.

Now take your Bible in your hand and work through it from beginning to end. What you will find is that God has made many more outrageously extravagant promises to His bride, His church. Here are not just three, but numerous and varied promises. He encourages His people to be bold in asking and repeats over and over His desire to give. What’s more, He offers more! Far more than this rich oriental King. He offers more; He has more. He has infinite resources and He is perfect in generosity. I wonder how often it is the case that we ‘have not’ because we ‘ask not’?

As we consider the promises of God, let’s determine to be like Esther in these verses. If possible, be clear and specific in asking. Don’t be vague. Don’t beat about the bush. Have a definite aim and go for it. I have a feeling that often, even if we get the words wrong, God still gives what He wants to give; He provides what He knows we need most.

‘’Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened’’ (Matthew 7:7,8).

‘’Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition. With thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’’ (Philippians 4:6,7).