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Esther 6:1-2  That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. 

I love the story of Esther, and particularly this chapter.  There are many times when I really struggle with God’s Providence in my life and in the lives of people I love.  But, thankfully, here I am reminded yet again that my loving Heavenly Father remains Sovereign in all the circumstances in the world he has made, even when I’m confused.

Why was King Xerxes finding it difficult to sleep that night?  Was it something he had eaten during the first sitting of Esther’s two-day banquet that day?  Was there a lump inadvertently created in the mattress by a careless servant?  Was there a noisy dog barking or fowl squawking?  We are not told exactly what normal physical device God used to keep him awake that particular night, but we are told why it happened: the sovereign God who loved and cared for his people needed Xerxes to find out urgently what an honourable and valuable man his faithful subject Mordecai was.  It was urgent because even while the chronicle was being read to the king, Haman’s henchman were taking advantage of the moonlight to add the finishing touches to the prominent gallows being erected for the unjust public execution of Mordecai.

Let us never underestimate God’s power, and the various devices available to him, to protect us against Satan’s evil schemes.  We might be anxious in desperate, threatening circumstances but his timing is always perfect.  It was no coincidence that Esther spread the feast over two days, or that Xerxes suffered from insomnia that night, or that the particular chronicle he picked out to read was about Mordecai.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that “at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6), and “when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5).  It is interesting that the ‘gallows’ Satan erected to execute Jesus also turned out to be the Saviour’s victory podium!  As Jesus had said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. … Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth [on the cross], will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:23, 31-32)

“Are you good only when I prosper,and true only when I’m filled?  Are you King only when I’m carefree, and God only when I’m well?  You are good when I’m poor and needy, you are true when I’m parched and dry; you still reign in the deepest valley, you’re still God in the darkest night.  Oh, let your will be done in me, in your love, I will abide; Oh, I long for nothing else as long as you are glorified.” (Mark Altrogge)

– Bruce Christian