Faithful Action in Silence: Lessons from Esther

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God’s Unseen Hand in Difficult Times

Even when God seems silent or absent, He is still at work behind the scenes, orchestrating deliverance and hope for His people. The book of Esther never mentions God by name, yet His providence is woven throughout the story, reminding us that faith sometimes means trusting in what we cannot see or fully understand. Like the Jews in exile, we may find ourselves in situations where there is no clear evidence of God’s presence, but history and our own stories show that He has never abandoned us. When we look back, we see that God has always pulled us through, even when the way forward seemed impossible. [06:49]

Esther 5:1-2 (ESV)
On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Reflection: When have you felt God was silent or absent in your life? How might you look back and see His hand guiding you through those times?

Day 2: Faith Expressed Through Obedience

Obedience to God sometimes requires us to act in ways that seem odd, risky, or even foolish to others, but true faith is demonstrated by trusting God’s word above our own understanding. The Passover story illustrates this: the Israelites marked their doors with lamb’s blood not because it made sense, but because God said to do it. Their obedience was an act of faith, believing that God would do what He promised, even when the command seemed strange. In our own lives, God may call us to steps of faith that don’t always make sense to the world, but He honors those who trust and obey Him. [10:16]

Exodus 12:21-23 (ESV)
Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.”

Reflection: Is there something God is asking you to do that feels risky or doesn’t make sense? What would it look like to obey Him in faith today?

Day 3: The Danger of Pride and the Call to Humility

Pride and the desire for power can blind us to reality and lead to destructive choices, as seen in the character of Haman. Haman’s obsession with his own status and his demand for others to bow before him reveal the dangers of self-centeredness and the need for humility. When we seek to elevate ourselves above others, we risk missing what God is doing and falling into patterns that harm ourselves and those around us. True greatness is found not in demanding honor, but in humbling ourselves before God and others. [15:18]

Proverbs 16:18 (ESV)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to seek recognition or control? How can you practice humility and honor others instead?

Day 4: Courage to Act When the Moment Comes

There are moments in life when we are called to step forward and act, even if we feel unqualified or afraid. Esther’s story reminds us that sometimes we are placed in a particular situation “for such a time as this,” and God can use our willingness to act for the good of others. Even when we don’t have all the answers or a clear sign from God, we can choose to do what is right, trusting that God will work through our courage and obedience. [30:14]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection: Is there a situation right now where you sense you need to take a courageous step? What is one action you can take today to move forward in faith?

Day 5: The Power of Remembering and Sharing God’s Faithfulness

God’s people are called to remember and celebrate His faithfulness, telling the stories of what He has done so that hope and faith are passed on to future generations. The Jewish feasts, including Passover and Purim, were designed as times of joyful remembrance, not just for personal reflection but for sharing with family and community. When we recount God’s goodness and share our testimonies, we build a foundation of hope and obedience for ourselves and those who come after us. [12:57]

Psalm 78:4 (ESV)
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Reflection: What is one story of God’s faithfulness in your life that you can share with someone this week? Who needs to hear it?

Sermon Summary

Baptism is a public declaration of faith, not a magical ritual or a requirement to be repeated for every new church or season of life. It is a testimony to those around us that we have died to our old selves and now live in anticipation of resurrection with Christ. My own baptism, unexpected and unceremonious, was a reminder that the heart of the act is obedience and faith, not the trappings or certificates. What matters is the willingness to say, “I am following Jesus,” regardless of the setting or the people present.

Turning to the book of Esther, or as it could be called, the book of Mordecai or Hadassah, we encounter a story unique in all of Scripture. God is never mentioned by name, nor are there references to prayer, worship, or the temple. Yet, the entire narrative is saturated with the reality of God’s providence and faithfulness. The Jewish people, exiled and powerless under Persian rule, face annihilation at the hands of Haman, a man consumed by pride and a lust for power. Haman’s demand for worship and his rage at Mordecai’s refusal to bow reveal the destructive nature of self-exaltation and the human desire to be treated as God.

Esther, a young Jewish woman living under a Persian name and identity, is thrust into a position of influence. She acts with wisdom and courage, not by overt displays of faith or religious ritual, but by shrewdly navigating the dangerous waters of the Persian court. Her plan unfolds gradually, drawing Haman and the king into her confidence through a series of banquets. She withholds her true intentions, using the pride and blindness of her adversaries against them. In this, Esther models the quiet, persistent faith that acts even when God seems silent and unseen.

The story of Esther reminds us that God’s deliverance often comes in unexpected ways, through ordinary people who are willing to act when the moment demands it. Even when God’s name is not spoken, His hand is at work, weaving together the threads of history and human decision for the good of His people. Our own lives, too, are marked by moments when we must step forward, trusting that God will do what only He can do, even if we cannot see or name His presence in the moment.

Key Takeaways

1. Baptism is a public testimony of faith, not a magical rite or a badge to be earned repeatedly. Its power lies in the declaration that we have died to our old selves and now live in Christ, witnessed by those in our lives. The act is rooted in obedience and trust, not in ritual perfection or religious formality. [03:30]
2. The book of Esther stands alone in Scripture for its silence about God, yet it powerfully demonstrates His providence. Even when God is not named, His faithfulness is evident in the preservation and deliverance of His people. This challenges us to recognize God’s hand at work in the hidden and ordinary moments of our own lives. [06:49]
3. Human pride and the desire for control, as seen in Haman, are destructive forces that blind us to reality and to the needs of others. The craving to be treated as God leads to isolation, rage, and ultimately self-destruction. True greatness is found not in demanding honor, but in humble service and trust in God’s sovereignty. [16:15]
4. Esther’s courage is not marked by grand religious gestures, but by wise, patient action in the face of danger. She acts decisively when the time is right, using the very flaws of her enemies to bring about deliverance. Faith sometimes means moving forward with what we know, even when we cannot see the whole picture or name God’s presence explicitly. [23:44]
5. God’s deliverance is not always accompanied by miracles or dramatic signs; often, it comes through the faithful actions of ordinary people. Looking back, we see that God has never abandoned His people, even in the darkest times. Our survival and hope are testimonies to His quiet, persistent faithfulness, calling us to trust Him in our own moments of decision. [27:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:15] - Reflections on Baptism and Testimony
[04:30] - Searching for the Book of Mordecai
[05:54] - Esther’s Unique Place in Scripture
[06:49] - The Silence of God in Esther
[08:07] - The Meaning of Passover and Faith
[10:16] - The Power of Obedience in Unlikely Commands
[12:57] - Esther: Faith in Exile and Absence of Ritual
[15:18] - Haman’s Pride and the Demand for Worship
[16:15] - The Contest of Wills: Mordecai vs. Haman
[18:34] - Esther’s Risk and the Power of Fasting
[20:23] - The Banquet Strategy Unfolds
[22:48] - Esther’s Patience and Haman’s Blindness
[23:44] - Esther’s Wisdom and Haman’s Self-Deception
[24:59] - Haman’s Boasting and the Plot Against Mordecai
[27:45] - God’s Faithfulness Without Religious Trappings
[30:14] - The Call to Act in Faith When God Seems Silent
[31:00] - Esther’s Strategy and the Downfall of Pride
[31:52] - Closing Reflections

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Esther 5 (ESV) — (You may want to read the whole chapter together, or assign parts to different people.)

Observation Questions

In Esther 5, what specific actions does Esther take before approaching the king, and how does she present her request?
According to the sermon, what is unique about the book of Esther compared to other books in the Bible? [[06:49]]
How does Haman react when Mordecai refuses to bow to him, and what does this reveal about Haman’s character? [[15:18]]
What is the significance of Esther inviting the king and Haman to two banquets instead of making her request right away? [[22:48]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon points out that God is never mentioned by name in Esther, yet His providence is seen throughout. What might be the reason for God’s “silence” in this story, and how does it affect the way we read the book? [[06:49]]
Esther chooses to act with wisdom and patience rather than making a dramatic religious gesture. What does this suggest about the different ways faith can be expressed? [[23:44]]
Haman’s pride and desire for control lead to destructive decisions. How does the story warn us about the dangers of self-exaltation? [[16:15]]
The sermon describes baptism as a public testimony, not a magical ritual. How does this understanding of baptism connect to the themes of identity and obedience found in Esther’s story? [[01:15]]

Application Questions

The sermon described baptism as a simple act of obedience and public testimony, not something to be repeated for every new church or season. If you have been baptized, what did it mean to you at the time, and how does it shape your faith today? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have? [[01:15]]
Esther acted when the moment demanded it, even though God seemed silent. Can you think of a time when you had to make a difficult decision without clear direction from God? How did you move forward? [[27:45]]
The story of Haman warns about the dangers of pride and the desire to be treated as God. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with wanting control, recognition, or honor? How can you practice humility this week? [[16:15]]
Esther’s courage was shown through wise, patient action, not grand religious gestures. Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to act with quiet faith rather than waiting for a dramatic sign from God? What would a first step look like? [[23:44]]
The sermon said God’s deliverance often comes through ordinary people and ordinary actions. Who in your life has been an “Esther” for you—someone whose quiet faith made a difference? How can you be that person for someone else? [[27:45]]
The book of Esther challenges us to recognize God’s hand at work in hidden and ordinary moments. Looking back, can you identify a time when God was working in your life even though you didn’t see it at the time? How does that encourage you in your current circumstances? [[30:14]]
Mordecai told Esther that if she didn’t act, deliverance would come another way. How do you respond to the idea that God’s plans are bigger than our individual choices, but He still invites us to participate? [[30:14]]

Sermon Clips

It's a testimony, public, to those who are in your sphere of life, your family and your friends, to be able to say, I am following Jesus, and I have died to my old life and been buried, and I am anticipating resurrection to the life of Christ. [00:04:30] (20 seconds) #FollowingChristResurrection

So at Passover, the Jews who did that and even the Egyptians or sojourners who said, you know, we believe that, we don't really get it all. We don't really understand it. It's kind of silly, foolish. It doesn't really make a lot of sense. There's no protection that comes from having blood on the doorposts of your house or over the mantle, except that's what God said to do. We're going to do what God said to do. For one reason, one only, we believe in God. [00:10:06] (34 seconds) #ObedienceOverUnderstanding

See, God's really the one we bow to. God is really the one that has the power. He is really the one that has the initiative and wherewithal to initiate real consequences. Haman wants that for himself. That happens in a human condition frequently, where people say, I want the power and position and prestige of God. I want to be treated like God is treated. So bow in my presence, quake at my threats, and if you don't, I will use all of my resolve to destroy you. [00:16:59] (43 seconds) #HumanDesireForDivinePower

``Look backwards in history from the point of Persia, taking over Babylon, ruling the Jews in exile. But look backwards, and you will see that time and time again, everything you've been in that's been difficult, impossible, there's no way out of this, we are not going to survive, God took care of it over and over and over. You've never been destroyed. You've never been forsaken. You've never been lost. Even as difficult and dismal as situations are, you came through it. Because if you didn't, you wouldn't be here. You'd be dead. You'd be gone. [00:29:25] (41 seconds) #HistoryOfDivineDeliverance

And Mordecai says to Esther, you don't want to do it. I understand that. But it's going to come, even if it doesn't come through you. God is going to do this. So there's a base there without having it be religious. It's not about, let's go to the temple and have a big experience. It's not about, let us celebrate Passover and have a historical party. It's not about that. It is, today, God's going to do something. Thank you. I don't know how he's going to do it, but he's going to do it. And Esther says, okay, something needs to be done. It's up to me to do it. [00:30:14] (37 seconds) #HiddenIdentityPurpose

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the significance of baptism in Christian faith?

Why is the book of Esther considered unique?

How does human pride influence decisions and actions?