Beauty from Ashes – Esther’s Rags to Royalty Story

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Isn’t it funny how we read over Scripture and somehow forget that the characters were not just mere names on a page. They were real people, with real feelings, with real pains and pleasures.


Allow yourself to enter the reality of Hadassah’s story.


She was a young girl who had no mother to brush back the hair from her eyes – no daddy to wipe away her tears. We’re not told how old she was when they died, but a child’s heart hurts regardless of when she loses her parents.

“He had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was beautiful and lovely, and when her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.” Esther 2:7 (Amp)

Hadassah was her Jewish name. It meant myrtle. Like the tree, she would prove to be strong and bold; like the plant her life would be flourishing and fragrant. But her purpose would summons her to more than her Jewish namesake implied. She would be Esther – the STAR – bright, brilliant, beautiful and majestic.


It was more than her name – it was her destiny.


Such a big calling on the life of the little orphan girl! A purpose that was greater than she was and beyond what she could do. She was to carefully craft a plan that would deliver her people from certain death. But first, she must come face to face with her enemy.


Her Divinely decreed position placed the fate of a nation in her favored hands. Yes, she had come to the kingdom for such a time as this.


Most of you know the rest of the story. Esther exposed Hamaan’s hideous plot and so he was hanged on the noose he had made for her cousin, Mordecai.


Mordecai moved up in ranks and Esther’s purpose in life was validated. God used her to deliver a nation and bring peace to her people.


One little orphan girl turned the ancient world upside down. One little orphan girl spoiled the enemy’s schemes. One little orphan girl called a nation to fast and pray for her as she prepared to risk her life to set them free. One little orphan girl is forever known as Esther…the STAR. Bright. Brilliant. Beautiful. Majestic.


One little orphan girl was born for such a time as this…

AND SO WERE YOU!

I’m not sure if ashes could ever be more awful than a little girl losing both of her parents. I’m not sure if any heart could be more broken than a little orphan girl who wakes up every morning without a mom or a dad.

But from this side of Scripture we can see the hand of God orchestrating each step she took all the way to the palace. Oh, how beautiful her ashes turned out! Oh, how restored were the broken pieces of her heart!

I’m not sure where this posts finds you, sweet friend. I don’t know what kind of ashes you’re dealing with. But I do know that God delights in making beauty out the ashes of your life.

Your road may have been difficult. Your past may have been painful. But each step of the way has made you the woman you are now. 

LET EACH PAINFUL PLACE BECOME A PLATFORM OF PRAISE FOR YOUR GOD!

Don’t make the mistake of thinking Esther was the only woman born for such a time as this. Don’t miss out on your future because you are holding on to your past. Esther Could have wallowed in her sorrow. She could have remained in her yesterdays. But she kept pressing on. She strapped herself in for the ride of her life and she became a star! 

I pray, you too will rise up and be strong. I pray you will take those steps to become who you were created to be. I pray you will know with all your heart that your Redeemer lives and that He has created you – for such a time as this!

What ashes are you holding onto that are preventing you for fulfilling your God-given dreams? Have you let go and allowed the painful places of your life to become a platform of praise? Are you letting God take you from rags to royalty? 

2 Comments

  1. Oh, my! I'm so behind in reading your posts. I love this. Each painful place should be a springboard to praise. Praise can do wonders! Beautiful post!

  2. Hi Lynn ~ You are so right! Praise can do wonders! Love ya!

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