In this passage, we’re introduced to two of the heroes of our story in the book of Esther. There’s a lot we can take from in these 8 verses, but here’s one thing:
God’s people are not exempt from hardship. We see that Mordecai had hardship and that Esther had hardship. Their hardship was not a punishment because of their own actions. Their hardship was not a lack of faith. Life is hard and we see all throughout Scripture that God’s people are not excluded from that. Sometimes, praise God, as we pray, He does heal and protect in ways that we see as avoiding hardship. He is so good.
But sometimes, oftentimes, He allows hardship on both His people and those who are not His.
But what God’s people have is that 1) God is with them in it all, in the valley of the shadow of death. 2) They can rely on, rest in and get their strength from God. 3) God brings beauty from ashes. 4) God promises to be a Comforter. (2 Corinthians 1)
We will endure hard things, and it can be scary to think about. But when we know how much God loves us and wants good for us and when we remember that He will never leave us and that we have a hope that is beyond the grave, we’re able to endure. More-so, we’re able to see God bring beauty from very real ashes.