“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17).

At the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda, it was common for families to adopt the children of relatives who had died from the disease. Orphaned children, because of their deprived status, often face an uncertain future. But imagine one of those orphaned children being suddenly elevated from such a humble childhood to become Queen of an empire. Wouldn’t you call that favour?

This was certainly the case for an orphaned girl named Esther, whose uncle Mordecai took her in. Without her having any hand in it, King Xerxes divorced his wife Vashti and then tasked his court to search for one befitting to replace her. Esther, quite unaware of what was at stake, was among the young women who were approached. We are told: “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favour and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti” (Esther 2:17).

While it is true that she was certainly beautiful, choosing her out of a beauty pageant was favour from God.

No sooner had she become Queen than Esther was taken up by events that required her involvement. A high-ranking official, Haman, sought to exterminate her Hebrew people. Once this plot was revealed to her, Esther rose up to her moment, tasking them to fast for three days and nights: “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

After the fast, Esther marched into the King’s presence, uninvited. And while he could have ordered her execution, as it was against the law, instead he said: “Then the king asked, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you” (Esther 5:3).

Again here we see Esther being favoured, but most particularly in that she had to ask for that favour — through three nights and days of fasting.

What is the lesson for us? There is a favour that can fall on us because God loves us and it has little to do with us, as was the case when Esther was chosen among all the girls. However, even if we are children of favour, it does not mean taking it for granted. Sometimes we must work, do our part, and let God finish the story.

Reflection: Whereas God has favoured md as his special child, I pray not to take his favour for granted!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Almighty God, Thank You that we are children of Your favour. Just as You raised Esther from obscurity to the palace, raise us according to Your purpose. Help us never to take Your favour for granted. Give us the courage to fast, to pray, and to step forward when the moment comes, trusting that if we perish, we perish — yet knowing You hold the story in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, I pray.