The king extended the golden scepter to Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king. | Esther 8:4
Recently, my husband and I attended our small group for a time of worship and prayer. While we were engaged in praise, singing “The Lion and the Lamb” by Bethel Music, I had a vision where I was standing before Jesus. A portion of the song’s chorus—“Who can stop the Lord almighty?”—was playing loudly as I locked eyes with the Son of God. Jesus then placed a crown upon my head and He extended His scepter to me. I began to weep and immediately fell to my knees, worshiping Him and placing my crown at His feet. I knew, just like Esther, I had found favor with my King.
The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti (Esther 2:17).
As I have pondered this vision, I sense the Lord’s heart of encouragement towards His Bride: “My Beloved, I am extending My scepter to you in this very hour. The courts of heaven are ruling in your favor, and justice is being served! I, Myself, will silence the voice of the accuser, and I will condemn every other tongue of judgement that may try to rise against you. For who can stop the Lord, Almighty?”
No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).
“Like Esther, your prayers and petitions have continually come before Me, and now I am granting your request:
Then the king said to her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.”
“When a king chooses to extend his scepter, it trumps all other protocols and opinions of others. As it is written in Romans 9:15, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ My Bride, just like Esther, you have found much favor in My sight. I am calling you forth from your place of hiddenness and obscurity for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“Your long season of waiting and preparation has not been in vain. I tell you, now is the time of My favor! Where man has looked at you and deemed you unqualified, I, Myself, qualify you,” says the Lord. “You have continuously given Me your ‘yes,’ and have walked boldly and courageously with Me into this new, uncharted territory. Truly your wilderness season of isolation has prepared you. I will now place a new mantle of influence and authority upon you, giving you a portion among the great. For I raise the poor from the dust, and lift the needy from the ash heap. I seat them with princes, and have them inherit a throne of honor” (1 Samuel 2:8).
You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance (Psalm 66:12).
“Even as with Esther, you have not sought to make a name for yourself, but rather your number one desire has been intimacy with your King—to know Me and to make Me known. I am now extending My scepter to you and bringing you to the forefront! Do not fear; be bold and courageous, and know that I am with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:1-3).
Hi Angie
I’m reading this three years later and it is as if God is speaking directly to me. Wow! Thank you for sharing. This is such an encouragement.
Love, Love this. I was led to your site after something dropped in my spirit. I was reading Esther writing an email. It blessed me. Thank you. I love the story of Esther.