Upon My Honor - Queen Vashti

Let’s begin “Upon My Honor” with the one who refused to show any.  I remember reading Esther as a young Christian and thinking that Queen Vashti must have had a good reason for not showing up when the king sent for her.   I mean… we have no way of knowing if she was busy at that moment.  She gave a separate banquet for the women, so she could have been right in the middle of her party; so did the king really expect her to just drop everything to come out and cater to his wishes?  Was he that prideful or competitive to demand that she make an appearance just to make him look good?  Lol!  Oh! I don't have enough room on this page to list how many complaints that I’ve heard from women about this very thing!  Does God expect us to just drop everything for our husbands?    Remember: considering someone else’s need above your own is the very idea that Jesus portrayed for Christianity.  Many women sing, “Make me more like you; oh make me more like you!”  Well, your marriage certainly has the potential to do just that… make you more like Jesus! 

It’s not about esteeming ourselves as less than the man.  It’s all about holding the word of God in the highest esteem; knowing that when you honor God’s word, He will honor you.  In God’s word, we find His order or line-up; and ahead of you, in line, is your husband.  It seemed to all of the kings men that Queen Vashti's decision not to show up at her husband’s request was an unspoken message to everyone that he wasn’t important; at least not as important as what she was already doing.  The men viewed her behavior as irreverent and an insult to all husbands in general. 

We can learn a lot by studying these men’s perception.  It’s good for all of us women to understand that men tend to view and evaluate things differently.   How many times have you cooked something special for someone else but not anything special for your husband?  How good do you look when you leave for work or other places and how good do you want to look for your husband?  Oh, I know... he’s your best friend and he doesn’t care how you look…  Well, since you don't have any "wise men" at your service, I guess I'll have to be the one to tell you that even though he sincerely and honestly says that to you- Please… don’t be stupid!

You could be placing your highest honor onto someone who isn’t even a part of God’s line-up and then all together ignoring the most important people in your life.   How sad to be a woman who yields "her best" to everyone else and then totally misses it with her own husband...  Who we choose to treat  "significant" really matters to God.  And any woman who chooses to treat her husband dishonorably or insignificant need not bother thinking that God’s promises will come to pass in her life.  Give your best to your husband and God will give His best to you.  It’s just like everything else in the word… it’s up to you to believe it and apply it.  Living it will most likely cost you some pride.  I have lived long enough to learn that pride will eventually cost you much more though.  The price that Vashti paid was her position and crown.   I do wonder if she thought about it later and then regretted her decision.  After a divorce… many women do and will.

I know you want to read about equality and your own significance… it’s in here too...  Check back next week and read further as I continue the teaching “Upon My Honor.”

Loving U Like a Sister,

Regina

Upon My Honor - Introduction

INTRODUCTION:  Probably many of us have seen the movie, “One Night with the King.”  I enjoyed the romantic spin that the writers tried to create but my interpretation from the book of Esther is somewhat different.  The thought of being brought to the king so that he can spend the night figuring out whether he likes you enough to make you queen, isn’t my idea of anything romantic.   Now don’t get mad at me for stating the facts… and don’t get mad at God either for allowing and even using such a thing.  He always meets humanity where humanity is; and for that we all should be grateful.   God shows up and works with people where they are and it’s never His fault when we end up in a less than ideal situation.   Earthly kings and earthly kingdoms were never God’s idea.  He warned man about the behavior of kings from the very beginning. 

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the story of Esther, let’s recap its beginning.   She was a Jewish girl who lost her parents at a young age; therefore, she was brought up by a relative named Mordecai.  It was a time of displacement for a lot of God’s chosen people because of their sin and disobedience.   The setting is around the Persian Empire where many of the Jews had ended up.  The story begins with the king (Ahasuerus) who orders a great feast with many dignitaries invited to show off some of the great splendor of his kingdom.  After feasting and drinking for a few days, the king sends for his queen (Vashti) so that he can show off her beauty to all of his male guests…   The only problem is… she’s busy giving a feast for the ladies and refuses to come at his request.  He was furious at her refusal and then later determined to take vengeance.  The king’s advisors suggested that he quickly remove her crown to teach her a lesson (not only her but to all women alike).

Their advice… Let young beautiful women be found and brought into the kingdom and then choose one to be your new queen.   So the king’s workers began selecting eligible women to be brought in and of course, Esther was found and added as a part of their collection.  This story is not about a king falling in love with a fair maiden.   Nor is it about a young maiden falling for a handsome prince.   Really, the sweetest emotion that is felt is the wonderful attachment that God feels toward His people and how He refuses to give up on us, no matter where we’ve ended up.   God can save a family or an entire nation just by saving one person who chooses to obey Him; and in this story of Esther becoming queen, that’s exactly what He did.  

Funny… most people think of Esther’s beauty as being her greatest asset but I always point out that all of the women who were brought into the kingdom were beautiful (I don’t care who you are; please don’t ever think that "pretty" is enough, lol).  Because of the hand of God being upon her, Esther was able to offer something more significant than beauty to the king and his kingdom.  A woman’s attractiveness might get her noticed for a few seconds but it will always be the women who know AND show honor that will win and keep positions.  Log in next week and find out just what I mean.

Loving U Like a Sister,

Regina

What is JOURNEY Doing Now?

Thank you to everyone who attended the “Then I Became in His eyes as one who found Peace” conference in Beulaville last week.  The atmosphere and the group of women were awesome!  God never disappoints when people show up with that kind of expectation!  We were blessed to say the least.  It’s not too late for you to schedule this event in your church.  Women are definitely worth the investment.  

I tell the church, “Women carry a huge influence.”  If you can help bring change to a woman then you have helped bring change to an entire family!  She can build her house or tear it down with her hands.  Through Journey, God is healing and strengthening women so that they can build… you can read a good book but it is still the anointing that breaks the yoke of bondage in our lives.  Many out of town conferences will be scheduled this year (usually great speakers, great shopping, great restaurants and great fun) but sadly the women who will need to be encouraged the most will not be able to attend because of their lack of finances.  Journey can help you bring the conference to them in your local church.

I’m very excited to invite those of you who are local to come join us for the next phase of the Journey out of Egypt ministry - “Journey Marriage.”  If you have looked at our website then you probably know that our vision begins with healing and strengthening women but our ultimate goal is to reunite the family back with God.  Journey Marriage is a local outreach for helping to heal and strengthen marriages through preaching, teaching, fun and fellowship.  We will begin meeting once a month here in one of our local churches.  If you would like more information about how to be a part of this once-a-month marriage celebration, you can contact us through our website- www.journeyoutofegypt.org.

In a few days, I will begin a new blog series, “Upon My Honor.”  Upon My Honor is one of my teachings from the book of Esther.    It has been my experience that women have heard more than enough about submission but haven’t heard nearly enough about honor.   God will never withhold anything good that He has promised us in His word but it will all depend on how and who we choose to honor.  As women, we tend to sometimes put a romantic spin on some of the Old Testament stories.  Esther is not a romantic novel but more of a story about obedience, faith and honor.  Most of us want something or need something from God.  And many women want to be given more opportunities and better positions where they can really make a difference.   Well, God is not stingy and He is handing down blessings one after the other… and girl, all you have to do is get in line… Upon My Honor will teach you how.

Loving U Like a Sister,

Regina