Esther 4-7

Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me ... (4:16). The conflict between Mordecai and Haman erupted into a decree for the “annihilation” of the Jews, and Mordecai urged Esther to approach the king. Esther agreed, but only after she and all the Jews were spiritually prepared (4:17). In contrast, both the king and Haman responded to personal challenges with wild anger: the king was “furious and burned with anger” (1:12), and Haman was “enraged” (3:5), “filled with rage” (5:9).

“Grant me my life ... spare my people” (7:3). Our own anger and rage produce nothing good (James 1:20), but when we courageously hope in the Lord, He never fails us.