TEXT: ESTHER 2:8-9
(8) So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
(9) And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.

KEY VERSE: ESTHER 2:17
And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti

To have a fulfilled life that glorifies God you need righteousness and holiness that makes you a child of God, not necessarily the arm of the flesh. There are many that are discouraged because things seem not to favor them in life. Some feel so lonely because they have no parents, guardians, siblings, children or relatives, as others; but be informed that God is able to make you reach His desired end as seen in the life of Esther.
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Apart from losing both parents, Esther was adopted by Mordecai and raised up as his own daughter. Couldn’t Mordecai have had other children? We trust he had but there is a lesson here, especially for those that love their biological children above others the Lord brought to them. Where are the records of Mordecai’s biological children? Were it not for Esther, the name of Mordecai would never have been recorded in the scriptures? Therefore, whosoever the Lord brings to you, give him good training and treat him well. We trust that Mordecai must have been married. Mordecai’s wife deserves many commendations for the motherly role she played in forming godly character traits in the life of Esther.

When it was Esther’s turn to go to King Ahasuerus, she behaved quite differently from her predecessors. They had asked for all forms of jewelry, ornamentation, fanciful dresses and other things they felt could enhance their beauty and give them the exalted position, but Esther required nothing in addition to the things assigned to her, and she obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked on her. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. If you want God’s favor and blessings in your life, remove sin and artificial beauty from your life. Seek and possess inward and outward holiness of life.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Seek and possess inward and outward holiness of life.

SONG FOR THE DAY: Make me holy (3x) O Lord, in the morning…..

BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY: Ezekiel 34-35; 1 Peter 2