"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." Esther
2:17
Esther had been chosen to be queen. She had
responsibilities that came along with her title and position. She now had a
public reputation. She served along side of her husband the king in ruling the
people, making decrees and enforcing laws. But at the end of the day, when the
crown was removed, when the royal robe was taken off, when the work of ruling
was finished, she was the king's wife. She was in an intimate relationship with
him.
This is a spiritual parallel of our relationship with our
heavenly King Jesus. As His people we have a public responsibility-- go into
all the world and preach the gospel. We serve in doing the work of the Kingdom
with Him-- laborers together with Christ. We have a responsibility that comes
along with our "title" (Christian) and "position" (seated together with Him in
heavenly places). We are a royal priesthood that shows forth the praises of our
God. But like Esther, at the end of the day when the work of the Kingdom is
finished, when the ministry is over, when the preaching is finished, when we
have taken off the robe of service to the needy, we are still His "wife"-- we
are still in an intimate relationship with Him.
Are you wearing your "robe" and "crown" to "bed"? Is all
your Christianity about is work, service or ministry? Is there any
intimacy with the Lord? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? Or is it
just a public show? Jesus died to save us from our sins, but He also died to
reconcile, and heal, our broken relationship with the Father. When He speaks
about us, it is with terms of endearment-- Father, Son, children, husband,
widows, friends. His greatest desire is that we "know Him"-- that we have a
personal, intimate relationship with Him. When we stand before Him one day,
that will be the determining factor as to whether we enter into heaven or not--
not how much work we have done. "And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew
7:23)
The king was searching for a new queen- not just to rule
and reign with him- but to be his wife. Our King Jesus is searching for someone
not only to work with Him, or for Him, but to have a relationship with. Is that
you?
Have a great day. Do you have a public relationship with
the Lord only-- one of work and service? Or do you have a private relationship
with Him as well-- one of intimacy and worship?
For further reading:
Ephesians 2:6,16
2 Corinthians 6:1
Mark 16:15
1 Peter 2:9
Colossians 1:20
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Coffee Break is a morning devotional
written by Lorraine Ezell
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