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Ask… And Give Thanks

March 2, 2023

Esther (Apocrypha) 14:1–6,12–14  |  Psalm 138  |  Matthew 7:7–12

Queen Esther was an Israelite woman living in Persia, married to King Xerxes. Orphaned as a child, she was raised by her uncle, Mordecai.  A court official, Haman, attempted to organize a pogram against the Jews, and Queen Esther, working with Mordecai, tried to develop a plan to stop Haman. Queen Esther humbled herself before her God, and asked him to “put eloquent speech in my mouth” as she spoke with her husband, King Xerxes, to help her people, the Israelites, against Haman. Queen Esther described herself to God as being alone, and having no helper but God. She shared with King Xerxes, and after hearing what Haman was doing, King Xerxes put Haman to death.  Queen Esther asked God to help her advocate for her people.

Continuing in Psalm 138, attributed to David, we read verse 4. “When I called, you answered me; * you increased my strength within me.” When David asked God. God is then thanked for all that has been done.

In Matthew 7:7-12 Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Again, we are encouraged to be in communication with God.  To ask.  However, God will not necessarily give us everything we ask for.  God knows what our needs are, and we believe God will give us what is best for us!

The important thing is that we communicate regularly with God – asking and giving thanks, among other things!

Pat Cichy