Esther Series | Day 8: Becoming the Woman God Can Trust With Influence
Primary Scripture
Esther 9–10
Supporting Scriptures
1 Peter 5:6
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time."
Psalm 30:11
"You turned my mourning into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy."
Devotional
As I came to the end of Esther, I expected the story to conclude with victory.
Instead, I found myself paying attention to what happened after the victory.
The Jews overcame their enemies, yet three different times Scripture tells us they did not take the plunder. That detail is repeated for a reason. Although they had the opportunity to enrich themselves, they chose restraint instead.
Their victory was never about personal gain.
As I reflected on that, I realized this has been the thread running through Esther's story all along.
When Esther became queen, she did not use her position to secure comfort or status for herself. She risked her life to advocate for her people. By the end of the story, she is still using her influence to protect, serve, and lead with humility.
One detail I couldn't overlook is the kind of influence Esther remained close to throughout her journey.
From the beginning of the story, she was guided by someone who consistently demonstrated integrity, wisdom, and a genuine concern for others. Long before his faithfulness was publicly recognized, his character was already bearing good fruit.
As I reflected on Esther's story, I realized she wasn't only being positioned by God.
She was also being shaped by the people God had placed around her.
The influence she stayed close to was marked by humility, faithfulness, and service.
By the end of the book, we see those same qualities reflected in Esther. Even after victory was secured, she did not use her position for personal gain. Instead, she continued to use her influence for the good of the people God had entrusted to her care.
It made me wonder how often God prepares us for influence by first surrounding us with people whose lives model the character He desires to develop in us.
The influence Esther remained close to eventually became the influence she carried.
As I look back over this entire journey, I don't believe the greatest lesson of Esther is that she became queen.
I believe the greater lesson is who she became after she did.
She became a woman who could be trusted with influence.
She was teachable.
She was humble.
She was willing to wait.
She surrendered her own plans.
She answered God's call.
She trusted Him in the unseen.
She walked in the authority He entrusted to her.
And when victory finally came, she remained faithful.
That is why 1 Peter 5:6 reminds me so much of Esther's story:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time."
Esther did not exalt herself.
God exalted her.
And when He did, she proved she could be trusted with what He had entrusted to her.
The story also ends with celebration.
The people who once fasted in fear were now feasting with joy. Their mourning had been turned into rejoicing, beautifully reflecting the promise of Psalm 30:11.
As I close this Esther series, I find myself asking a different question than I did at the beginning.
Not, "How do I become like Esther?"
But, "Am I becoming the kind of woman God can trust with influence?"
Because faith is not only trusting God while we wait.
It is remaining humble when He answers.
God is not only preparing us for the promise.
He is preparing us to steward it well.
Reflection Questions
Who am I allowing to influence my character, and are they producing the kind of fruit I hope to carry into my own life?
If God entrusted me with greater influence today, what would my heart naturally be inclined to do with it?
Am I pursuing God's promises more than I am pursuing the character needed to steward them well?
Grace Challenge
Take a few moments this week to reflect on the people who have shaped your faith. Thank God for the examples of humility, wisdom, and faithfulness He has placed in your life.
Then ask Him to reveal one area where He is inviting you to grow before He entrusts you with more.
Finally, look for one opportunity to use your gifts, influence, or position to serve someone else without expecting recognition in return. Let your life reflect the same humility that marked Esther's journey.
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for walking with me through the story of Esther and reminding me that Your greatest work is often the work You do within me.
Thank You for the people You place in my life whose example encourages me to pursue humility, wisdom, and faithfulness. Help me to remain teachable and to stay close to the kind of influence that produces good fruit.
Teach me to value character more than recognition, faithfulness more than promotion, and service more than status.
Help me trust that in Your perfect timing, You will place me exactly where You desire me to be. Until then, continue shaping my heart so that I will be ready to steward whatever You choose to entrust to me.
Guard me from using influence for my own gain. Instead, give me a heart that seeks Your glory and the good of others.
Continue making me into the kind of woman You can trust with influence.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
