A Fearless Queen at the Wrong Time

Ephesians 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (NIV)

            King Xerses was the ruler of over 127 provinces in Persia and Media extending from India to Cush. His wealth was beyond measure and he wanted to show it off to his elite friends throughout the kingdom. Therefore, he had a six-month celebration in honor of his superlative empire. His guest were served an unlimited supply of the best food, wine, and drank from goblets made of gold. The celebration was decorated with great lavishness to reflect the king’s royal success. His queen, Vashti, also gave a royal banquet for the women in the palace.

            One day, after drinking a lot of wine during this extended celebration, King Xerses wanted to show off his gorgeous queen to his royal subjects. She was a beauty to behold and He desired to parade her in front of his distinguished guests as one of his proudest accomplishments. However, when he sent word to her commanding her presence, she refused him. She did not want to be put on display in front of his guests. Therefore, she declined to come and this fearless act of defiance, unfortunately, angered the king. As a result, Queen Vashti was removed from her royal position for fear that other women would use her example as a reason to disrespect their husbands in the same manner. Esther 1:20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.” (NIV)

            The Apostle Paul wanted the saints to pray for him to be able to proclaim the message of Christ fearlessly. To be a follower of Christ during those times required an incredible boldness that could only be given through the Holy Spirit. To preach about the risen Savior meant there would be tremendous persecution. The religious leaders during that time forbade the apostles to teach about Jesus. However, this was one rule that the apostles had to disobey. Jesus had given them strict instructions to spread the gospel and baptize new coverts. Therefore, the apostles did not have an option to play it safe. They had to do as the Lord commanded even at the expense of their own lives. Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (NIV)

            There are days ahead and even now when we must declare the Word of God although it seems to be the wrong time. What is the wrong time? It is when the world is saying that right is wrong and wrong is right. It is when everyone seems to be following the majority and you are sticking out like a sore thumb just because of your refusal to compromise God’s standards. It is when those who profess Christ have compromised their faith, but you are told that you are the problem. The Bible tells us of times like this, but as a warrior for Christ, we must still endure the many hardships that comes with the call. 2 Timothy 4:2-5 ⁽²⁾Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. (³⁾For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (⁴⁾They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (⁵⁾But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (NIV)

            Never allow the devil to discourage you in standing up for Christ even when you seemingly have to stand alone. Allow the love of Jesus to overflow in and out of you even when there is opposition from those around. Allow the Holy Spirit to do the convicting, so that He may bring change to those who are blind. Most importantly, be a warrior of strength, patience, endurance, and above all else love, in order to set an example for those living in an ungodly world. 2 Timothy 2:25-26 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (NIV)