Timing Is Important

I’ve done things that were the right thing at the wrong time. Timing is an important piece to any puzzle or procedure. There are steps that need to be completed at the right time. Sometimes timing can be sequential. If I complete step 7 without completing steps 1-6 the project could be a disaster.

The Jews who lived in captivity in Persia were scheduled to be destroyed and wiped out – men, women and children on the 13^th day of December led by Haman, the kings right hand man. Queen Esther had asked her people to fast (and pray) for three days. She got the courage up to go before the king without an invitation. The king welcomed her in and asked what she wanted. Check this out…

4 ‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther, ‘let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.’

5 ‘Bring Haman at once,’ the king said, ‘so that we may do what Esther asks.’

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, ‘Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.’

7 Esther replied, ‘My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.’ (Esther 5:4-8 NIV)

I think Esther was reconnecting with the king. She had previously told her uncle that it had been 30 days since the king had summoned her. She was insecure for sure. She did wait until after the three days of fasting to have the courage to go see the king without an invitation.

I also like her strategy to connect with the king on a quick invite to lunch today. I think everyone has to eat and sometimes sitting down to a meal takes pressure off of the conversational topic. I’m sure Esther was anything but relaxed as she had lunch with the King and Haman. Esther was strategic with her timing. She needed to renew the connection she had made with the king when she was selected as king. This part of her plan was critical to a good outcome.

I think I could learn some principles from Esther.

1. Relationships are very important.
2. Connecting relationships are vital to discernment.
3. Keep the conversation going.
4. Don’t jump into the hardest topic first – lay some groundwork.

I see wise timing along with great discernment on the part of Queen Esther who is fairly young. She is showing great wisdom beyond her years. I think she also shows great patience and poise. She will be heard for her request – in the right time.

Relationships and timing are very important to the success of any mission.

Pressing On!

Dwayne