A Study on Love: Part XXXIX

Esther 4:12-17

When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions.

-I found it interesting that Esther requested that Mordecai fast for her. It was a way to say "pray for me," because when you fast, you pray more. And she fasted. It was essentially a fast for the Jewish nation, but the fasting for Esther was more so a fast for her to make the righteous decision. It was a fast for God to be with here in this time. And when you pray for someone, you are loving them. If you fast for someone, you are praying for them. So, fasting for someone is indeed an expression of love toward that person. And the Bible says that "love never fails." God is love. God never fails. Amen. Johnny Out.