VERY OFTEN, TIMING IS EVERYTHING!
I’ve read the Book of Esther in the Bible many times and I’ve often wondered why Queen Esther invited King Xerses (also called Ahaseurus or Artaxerses) and his favourite noble, Haman, to a feast two days in a row before presenting her request for the deliverance of the Jews from destruction.
She had all the Jews in Susa fasting on her behalf, according to her directive to Mordecai, plus herself and her attendants.
“12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 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. 14 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 your royal position for such a time as this?’
“15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 ‘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 attendants 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.’
“17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.” – Esther 4:12-17 (NIV)
She had waited till the third day of the fast before approaching the inner court where it was forbidden for anyone to go without being sent for by the king. The king graciously spared her life and clearly declared, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you” (Esther 5:3).
Why didn’t Esther present her request immediately and plead for her people? Why did she risk asking the king to come to a banquet?
Historical records reveal that Xerses was cruel and capricious, according to Mark G. Pearse in his Bible Hub article, “Character of Ahaseurus.”
“This is the man who was hospitably entertained by Pythias of Lydia when on his way to Greece, and helped by an enormous contribution; but when the old man, who had given all his other sons to the service of the king, pleaded that the eldest might stay with him, Herodotus tells us that Xerxes in a fury commanded that the son should be slain, and he made his whole army pass between the severed body,” Pearse adds.
Why didn’t Esther launch into her appeal on that first day? Instead, she not only asked Xerses and Haman to attend her banquet once, but twice! This in spite of the fact that Xerses repeated his earlier offer to grant her request, even up to half the kingdom.
Why did Esther not grasp any of these offers? What was at stake was too much- the lives of the Jews, not only in Susa but in Xerses’ entire empire with its 127 provinces.
Anything could have happened to swing the mercurial king from bestowing benevolence to decreeing merciless punishment.
When I saw the answer in my daily Bible reading yesterday, it dawned on me that Esther’s delay was inspired.
You see, something needed to happen to make King Xerses feel beholden to the Jews enough to send dispatches that will override the earlier edicts for their annihilation which he promulgated on Haman’s request. And that crucial thing didn’t happen until the night following the first banquet.
“1 That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.” – Esther 6:1-2
Wow! Mordecai, a Jew, had saved the life of King Xerses! It was there in the royal records in black and white!
I believe at this point the clouds had gathered and Haman was inexorably swept to his doom.
Why have I taken the time to describe this situation in detail? Very often, we’re raring to make a move or do something we consider momentous and time is running out. The pressure to act and settle the matter- to avert impending doom or release something glorious- may be so much. But it is terribly important to be led before making that all-important move.
Have you received a spiritual green light? If not, it may be that everything is not yet in place for the outcome or outcomes you desire. Let me also quickly add that these outcomes should be prayerfully determined, not unilaterally or whimsically.
Because Esther read the atmosphere correctly (and I believe this was a result of her fasting and not acting in the flesh), she not only got an unpredictable king to spare her life and that of her family, but the lives of all the Jews in the vast realm of the king. More than that, she got the king to give the Jews such an upper hand that they were not only safeguarded by the same authorities who were meant to eliminate them, they were permitted to slaughter their enemies.
The fear of the Jews (who had been marked for destruction) fell on the peoples in Xerxes’ empire such that “many people of other nationalities became Jews.” And for the Jews, what would have been their decimation and inconsolable mourning turned into exuberant joy and merriment enshrined in the celebration of Purim for their generations (Esther 8:17, 9:20-28).
What a reversal of fortune! What a heartwarming turnaround we get when we key in to the right timing for what we do!
❤
The scriptures in this post are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible.
Reference
Character of Ahasuerus
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I have always been a victim of this. Sometimes, I don’t pray or plan things and I end up regretting my actions. Thank you, ma, for the enlightenment.
You’re welcome! Praise God!
We have nothing to lose if we walk with God rather we gain more. The Lord used Esther to deliver the Jews. God needs people like Esther in this our generation.
This came in handy ma, many times, we are so eger to act or react to certain things or situations without actually thinking about it or asking God for directions. A similar example is with the children of Israel, when they wanted to go for war, if they had gone on their own Accord, probably they would have been destroyed but Moses said to the lord “If you don’t go with us, we go nowhere”
So getting a go ahead is key, I pray the eyes of our understanding be enlightened.
Thank you ma
Most times timing is everything, carrying out a task too soon or too late can be very disastrous
True. God bless you!
Great revelation! Like the “Sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times”…., timing is very key in God’s economy. May God help us to flow in tandem with His timings and seasons.
Amen in Jesus’ name.
Due to the pressures of life, many persons are very eager to achieve things without a leading from God. May God help us to wait on him till we receive divine instructions concerning our destiny. Amen
Timing means waiting on God before taking any action in life. because, without God’s direction we may take a quick action that we may live to regret all our life. This is a nice piece and very educating to. God bless you ma.
Timing means waiting on God before taking any action in life. because, without God’s direction we may take a quick action that we may live to regret all our life. This is a nice piece and very educating too. God bless you, ma.
Your definition is of divine timing. People who do not believe in God may have their own ways of timing their activities for the best results. In ancient times, they cast lots to choose the most auspicious time to do something. In the book of Esther, that was how Haman chose the 13th day of the 12th month as the day for the destruction of the Jews (Esther 3). But we are not pagans who resort to divination. Our guidance from the Spirit of the Living God and from His word.
Just like they would always say that waiting for God’s time is the best.
Besides if one fails to plan he/she fails to succeed.
Timing in every decision we carry out in our day-to-day activities should be divinely inspired as being too early or late could hamper the already made plans of God in our lives.
You’re right. God bless you!
Timing is really important,the truth is that it’s importance can never be overemphasized. A bad timing can make us lose something we have really worked very hard for. Just imagine if Esther was tempted to make her request after the first banquet, it’s possible all the fasting would have been in vain. May God give us the grace to know the right time to act.
Queen Esther is an exceptional woman. A woman that proves to generations that a minor can have say, a woman wields power
God is the ultimate planner; but we as humans still weds to plan ourselves and work with timing
It is out of human frailty that we act without asking or waiting for direction from God. His time, they say is the best! This piece is a reminder. Thank you ma.
I love biblical story of Esther. It can only be achieved by the grace of God because we human being sometimes act foolishly while trying to be perfect.
The happenings of life can pressurise us to carry out a particular task without been led by God, this might result to us making right or wrong decisions. Well, from the story we are advice to seek God before making any move. I pray we always remember that God’s time is the best. Thanks Ma and God bless
Timing is very important.most times people pray or plan things without involving God which is so wrong.
Timing is a very important factor in our day to day activities. The way you use your time can either make or marr you.
This message is a reminder that God’s time is the best. It also underscores the need for us to put everything we intend to do in the hands of God because his ways are not our ways. This is a timely reminder that God does things well and beautiful. Thank you ma for always inspiring me.
We should commit every decision to God before taking actions. It is good to walk in God’s time zone. It is never too late nor too early.
Timing…very significant. It is true that Esther’s delay was inspired. I also agree that we should prayerfully determine the outcomes we desire. Our God is a God of times and seasons. There is time for everything and His timing is the best. Thank you for sharing this Ma
Most times people take actions or decision without making plans and they sometimes end up regretting their actions. Whatever we do or about to do we seek the presence of the lord first for only him can take us through the right part of life.
Thanks!
It is always difficult to wait forthe right time before we act on a situation we feel is alarming but with prayer we will get right solution and idea to the problem. Thanks and God bless you ma.
Timing is everything.
I pray to God each day for him to give me the wisdom,to take the right step.
God’s time is the best.
Great! Time is everything! making an approach at the wrong time can cause you a whole lot of fortunes. I’m also a victim of this, but i pray that I’ll always do or say things at the right time.
Timing is very important in life that is why we should not always rush to make decisions in life.
I’ve always been a victim of making decisions without plans. Always in a haste. Now I’ve learnt
The good thing about timing is that it makes you to also think.
We should wait upon God’s time because he knows the right time for everything, that is why they say that there is time for everything
Timing in every Decision,prayer in every action. As a result of prayer,she request for God help and was accompany by the holy spirit to the king’s palace. As a result of time, she accomplish her mission. Prayer is the master key.
By the arm of flesh, no man can prevail!
It’s better to always put God first in everything, by so doing, He’ll lead us the right way and help us to wait on him.
Patience is everything. Perhaps, we just need a little conviction that our hope will not wither.
This is a really faith-driving piece ?
wow God’s time is really the best time, all we have to do is to connect to the heavenly realm and work with Gods time
Wise people don’t rush into things , they take it step by step . It is quite risky to act before thinking than thinking before acting . God filled Esther with wisdom inorder to save his people
Sometimes we need to see delay as God’s way of telling us to wait for his perfect time… God’s time is the best.
He’s never too late or too early.
You will be very successful when you take a step according to Gods timing. He can suspend or rather end protocols for our sake.
It’s always good for proper timing and doing the right thing at the right time Eccl 3. Thank you ma for this post
As Christians we should do well to understand the times and seasons like the children of Issachar did… we should not just jump into into doing things for the fun of it or to be seen as smart people, rather we should tarry until the right time.
Timing means waiting on God before taking any action in life. Because without God we can’t reach any height. Thank you ma this is so helpful.
Time has been decribed overtime,with so many maxims as, “Time and tide waits for no man”,” Time flies”,”Time is money”,all this emphasizes,the need for managing and utilizing our time optimally and efficiently. So,it is expected of us,to try as much as,to maximize each opporturnity and very importantly, avoid procrastination in all ramifications of life.
Thank you Ma. It also draws our attention to some of the ‘disappointments’ we face in our lives. We should not give up when what we expect at a time doesn’t happen when we want it. God’s timing is always perfect for us.
My name is Ogechi meaning God’s time is the best. When you are in a situation and you are pressured to act immediately just pray to God for his intervention. Timing is important.
Timing is everything! Thinking about it now, Esther really took time to think on how to go ahead with her plan and when to kick off with them. It takes God’s grace to know when to implement our plans.
God’s time is the best. Patience is a virtue.. We should therefore learn to be patient
Timing is everything.
I pray to God each day for him to give me the wisdom,to take the right step. God’s time is the best.
The Bible scriptures tells us more about being patient, that there is time for everything in life, be it physically or spiritually. We will prevail, as the spirit leads
The Bible tells us more about being patient, that there I time for everything in life, be it physically or spiritually. We will prevail, as the spirit leads.
Timing is very important. We shouldn’t just rush into things. Seeking divine help from God is perfect timing. As far as you acknowledge that God’s timing is perfect then your good to go. It’s the wrong decisions we make that destroys us. We have to learn to seek God first. Very important
Wow Gods time is really the best. Before taking any action or decision is better we call God first. Thanks for this piece of encouragement Ma.
God’s time is always the best. Thank you ma’am
The life of queen Esther is a perfect example! May God be our guide in good timing. Amen.
God’s time is the best. We should have patience without giving up until the right time comes
Esther was a woman that fears God,that’s why God could use her via divine timing to save the jews
God time is the best,we need to see delay at times as God’s way of telling us to wait for our own perfect time and with consistent prayers and hardwork.
Timing is very essential to man, the ways of God always overrules that of man , a person don’t know when the time is right except he/she has a personal relationship with God.
Timing really matters in life, but most at times, youths of this generation tends to do things their way due to peer pressure/ influence which could be disastrous
God’s timing is the best that’s why we need to build a strong relationship with our heavenly father through prayers..
May God help us do that when we go ahead to do things, it will be done at the right time.
Esther is one person in the Bible that motivates me .She is a topical example of women’s power and dominant in the society .Ma does it mean that some time delaying is good?
Yes, if you are led to do so.
Chai, the truth of the matter is that we loose time each time we act out of God’s agenda and timing. No matter how the situation may look it will be a waste of time, energy, resources to act when God isn’t acting. Spiritual Green light. Thanks a lot ma for sharing this.
God, grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And Wisdom to know the difference”
Thank you sir Reinhold Niebuhr ???. Thanks a lot ma for sharing.
“Esther’s delay was inspired”. I never saw it in this light ma. It actually takes being spiritual to actually make core life decisions so as not to end up with unnecessary and irreversible mistakes. Thank you so much ma.
Timing is still the key. One thing we should remember is that we shouldn’t just follow physical time but that of God’s. We shouldn’t be too fast in doing things or too slow. Timing is everything especially when it’s backed with prayer.
In as much as time is essential, we also need the presence of God in our lives to direct our paths…Queen Esther was directed on how to go about the situation at hand through the help of God by fasting and praying, and not just timing alone..
There is time for everything, so we need to pay great attention to time, and work according to it…
In life timing actually matters.Esther story is a story every true believer must pick a lesson from. I still and strongly believe God’s time is the best .it may be long but is definitely the ultimate best
I also think that in addition to the perfect timing, Esther knew the God of Israel. Not only knowing him, she understands how he works because if you don’t involve God in your matter he will not involve himself. That is why the scripture said ‘ask and I shall be given unto you’. And she also applied wisdom which the scripture has also warned us not to be ignorant of the devices of the wicked.
I have learnt that we shouldn’t rush into decisions lest we rush out of it as well. Seeking God’s face, guidance and direction is ultimate; our every day struggle should be centered on seeking the Lord’s face
Esther’s delay was a clear indication of God’s plan and her decision was the best and it saves the life of the Jews
God’s time is best indeed
Yes time is precious and invaluable . We all need God to direct us .
Prayer is the key to all situation, this world is control spiritually and for us to fit in we need to pray as a means of communicating to our heavenly Father and things will change just the way we want it.
Prayer is the key to all situation, this world is control spiritually and for us to fit in we need to pray to our heavenly father and things will change just the way we want it. Timing is very important but we need God grace to Know the right time.
GOD’S TIME IS THE BEST TIME OO
As a song goes during Lazarus’s death “Even if God is four days late he’s still on time”. God is never late, He is aware of everything sometimes delay is necessary
The story of Esther teaches us humility and faith.
God’s time is certainly the best!!
In every disappointment there is a blessing.
Without proper timing one looses great opportunities in life.
Patience and Prayer should always be taken into consideration before venturing into anything
Interesting! This has taught me to wait on God’s time no matter the situation I find myself,or how desperately am in need of something.
Timing is very essential in the life of everyone. Doing things too late or too early might be detrimental to the person’s life as you don’t know what opportunities you would have missed.
For God’s time is the best because everything and every plan we make is already fixed by God because this world is like a moving train all we need is patience God never forgets his children at all
Two things I learnt in this post is:
1. The power of prayer. Before taking any life-changing decision, we have to commit it first into the hands of God. Only our actions isn’t enough to move this mountain.
2. The need to back our prayers up with good actions. It isn’t just enough to pray because James himself said that faith without works is dead on its own. God can answer our prayers through the little actions we take upon faith just as he did with Esther
Timing really matters in life . Because, so many achievements are made through the accurate use of time
God’s time is the best, I pray I have the same faith as Esther, thank you ma for sharing this with us.
Humility and patience should be the virtue of every christian, for those that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.
Esther seeked the face of God before making her decision. Even though, it may take a while but God’s time is the best.
Esther sought
The importance of being led by the Holy Spirit cannot be overemphasized.
Am amazing illustration indeed, its always Good to listen to the voice of God before taking action,sometimes in our lives,its always good to wait and not to take actions immediately, allow God to set things the way it should be.
God’s time is always the best, we should try and wait for God’s time in any situation we are in this life because without God in our life we are heading no where. Thank you ma
It only takes one that is in good terms with God spiritually, to understand the appropriate time he or she needs to make some certain decisions in order to have a positive result, cause when you take actions with normal human time you will regret the outcome that is why is said that God’s time is the best. We should learn how to be patient.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,for tomorrow will worry about itself for there is a time for every matter,give all situations to God and wait for him to show you the path to take
Timing is everything indeed
It’s best to do the right thing and at the right time
Esther had an enviable relationship with God,knowing that man’s knowledge is null to God’s wisdom, she stuck to a perfect timing which yielded the desired result.
At times been delayed might turn to blessing because we might not know that God is actually planning the best for us.
God’s time is the best,and we must learn to seek God first before making any decisions.
The relevance of timing cannot be over emphasized. One should always know the right time to act. Esther is indeed an icon who should be emulated. Thank you ma for the enlightenment.
Beyond any reasonable doubt, timing is everything but God’s time is the best. I felt like you were talking to me directly through this post because I’m at a point in my life where I’m still learning to be patient and wait on God to answer me in his own time
No matter the challenges of life we should never carry out a particular task because of pressure, this might result to us making a wrong decision. Thanks Ma for this
Funny enough my mom’s name is Esther and I can beat my chest to say that my mom and Queen Esther has a lot in common. My mom is one to advice me not to rush things in life and allow things to happen naturally according to God’s plan.
Timing is everything
As believers we should never be in a haste to make decisions without first consulting God.
We should also try to be patient at times for the ways of God are not the ways of man.
God’s time is always the. We should always involve God in all our daily plans because he is the master planner and know what’s best for us.
Time can either make or mare your plans…we must learn to practice time management and planning and also back those plans with prayers
Time is everything. I think Esther knew about it and waited for the right time to present her request to the king, if she had presented it earlier it might have cost the lives of the Jews.
Timing is indeed everything!! It is very much important that we,Christians especially, wait on the Lord before making any move in life. God’s time is undoubtedly the BEST!!
RIGHT TIMING averts destruction and saves the situation and it is only the Holy spirit in us that can help us detect when the time is right. Let’s keep praying and keep listening to the Holy spirit.
Gods’s time is the best, we should always try and walk with God’s time ,our problems sometimes is that we want things to happen in our own ways and directions without knowing seeking the face of our maker who has greater plans for us in his appointed time. we should always try not to be faster than our shadows , wait unto the Lord so that we will go astray in life.God’s time is the best.we ask for the grace to wait just like Esther waited which yielded a good fruit.
I like the way you use queen Esther in the Bible to show how one has to plan and pray before he/she takes certain actions in order to get good outcomes or turnout. It is really an eye opening article, thank you for this write up
Esther is a unique woman.A person that proves to generations that a minor can have a say.
It is always a good thing to believe and trust in God to answer our prayers in all our needs, just like the way Easter deed with his people (Jews) which God later answered them.
I believe timing is everything.
If you don’t pray and wait for God to guide you through prayers, you might make a wrong move.
Timing is very important in our day to day activities, timing should be inspired divinely as the saying goes God’s Time is the best.
Good timing is key and it matters in life as well. Well this situation seemed hopeless but then good timing came through. Nice one ma.
Good timing is everything. Putting my plans into God’s hands has always been the best decision. It always yields positive results.
Doing things at the right time I the key to a successful destiny, anything we miss can not come back to us unless God shows up.
Timing is actually everything, that’s why we must always pray God reveals the best time we take certain actions because God’s time is the best, Oge chi ka mma.
Even after praying for God’s direction,we should not try to answer our prayer ourselves by being too fast.
is a captivating write up. It draws us close to the Bible and enables us to know the benefits of praying to God to do the right thing at the right time.
Working according to God’s time is key to living a justified life.
It is good to key in to the right timing for what ever we do in life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, there’s time for everything and season for every activity under heaven. So we should always manage our time by doing the right thing at the right time.
Many time when a situation or problems comes up we are always eager to react to it,without involving God himself. Timing is indeed everything .
The contradictory and dynamism of the human mindset put in consideration, how do you know when one or yourself receives spiritual green light?
That is a topic for another day. Read my teaching series on prophecy. Somewhere there, various ways of hearing from God are addressed.
Timing is very important in our day to day activities,there’s a need for us to wait for the right time before we act on any situation and ask for divine direction from God.God bless you ma
Abide in Christ and let him alone direct your steps.
Kudos👍 to you ma!!
Always wait for God’s will to be done in your life…
This message is a reminder that God’s time is the best. It also underscores the need for us to put everything we intend to do in the hands of God because his ways are not our ways. This is a timely reminder that God does things well and beautiful. Thank you, ma, for always inspiring me.
I couldn’t agree more.
In our day and time today, most young people are unable to give ourselves time and delay gratification and so we forget that as with all glorious things, timing is a vital factor.
Yes time is precious invaluable,we all need God to direct us.