Thursday March 10, 2011
END TIMES READING PLAN: Isaiah 30-31
SCRIPTURE READING
Esther 2:8, 9, 12 Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and…immediately he provided her with beauty treatments and special food. Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments. (NIV)
The book of Esther also gives us a glimpse into what it means to be the Bride of Christ. The book starts with the King looking for a Bride, one that is the most beautiful in the land. Esther is chosen to be that Bride but before she can be brought before the King she was required to go through extensive beauty treatments lasting an entire year. This story is a prophetic picture of what will be played out at the end of the age. Esther represents the Church being purified as a Bride and making Herself ready for Christ’s second coming (Rev 19:7-9). As the story progresses, we find the Jews are about to be exterminated therefore Esther steps in with prayer and fasting, making intercession for her people. This is a picture of the primary function and identity of the Church in the end times. God has not only called us to be a loving Bride, He has given us a job, and He has called us to partner with Him in praying in the return of Jesus. God is calling us to align with His heart through prayer and fasting and to yearn to be united with our Bridegroom King.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Esther had to go through extensive beauty treatments in order to be fit for the king. Ask the Holy Spirit what sort of “beauty treatments” you need to go through. In other words, what sin is God asking you to confess today?
2. Esther’s story doesn’t end with confession and purification, she was actively involved in prayer, fasting and making intercession for her people. Ask God to show you if there is any issue in your life right now that He would like you to fast for. Ask Him what He wants you to fast for, and for how long you are to fast.
