Decision making is a learned wisdom

Scripture Read: Esther 2:12-15 Now when the turn of each young lady came to go in to King Ahasuerus, after the end of her twelve months under the regulations for the women—for the days of their beautification were completed as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and the cosmetics for women— ¹³ the young lady would go in to the king in this way: anything that she desired was given her to take with her from the harem to the king’s palace. ¹⁴ In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name. ¹⁵ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai who had taken her as his daughter, came to go in to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the women, advised. And Esther found favor in the eyes of all who saw her.   

Application:  As we read this section of scripture we should be so thankful for what God intended to happen between A man and A woman. Sin has so perverted it. Just thinking of what life must have been like for women during this time is tragic. God never had that in mind – but has allowed humans the freedom to make their own life and cultures. It is clear that we really moved far from what God knew was the best and sad to say we continue to do so. The so called freedom that everyone thinks is happening today is in reality a bondage that destroys and leaves so many individuals broken, scarred and lonely. God knows that one man with one woman produces a relationship that can grow into the deepest intimacy and greatest friendship. Yet in this terrible circumstance that Esther finds herself in God is working behind the scenes. Esther shows some incredible wisdom in this section of the Word. She seeks counsel from the one who knows what the King likes. This is exactly what we need to do in our decision making process. Too many only seek their own advice and end up making some very bad decisions. God’s Word warns that a fool is always right in his own eyes. (Proverbs 12:15)

We need to seek counsel – first from Your Word Lord and then from individuals that are “in the know”:

* If your decision concerns business, then you should seek counsel from a person that represents Christ and is successful in their business.

*If your decision concerns life, then you should seek counsel from an individual that clearly shows Christ in their walk and the maturity that brings.

* Meditation Questions: What steps do I go through before I make important decisions? What or Who is the source I go to? Do I make decisions when emotionally high or low? Afterwards do I make a time to reflect on my decision and evaluate it?