“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom” ~Esther 5: 1-3

Now that you have been awoken in your mind and spirit, know that this period of fasting and praying is but a season that has been set aside for you to go into the presence of the King. During Esther’s time, a maiden would spend a year getting prepared for one moment with the king. For six months, she was bathed in the oil of Myrrh, and for six months, she was covered in spices and ointments only to have to make sure she was appropriately dressed to go before the king with the hopes that he would invite her in.

But there’s something that you and Esther have in common; you have both found favor with the king. This fasting and praying period is your time of preparation where you are being fed from the king’s table, “the word of God,” and you are being cleansed and anointed with the oil of gladness and the spices of the sweet-smelling savor of God. Soon you will be dressed in the proper attire, “the whole armor of God,” as we prepare to be presented unto the king.

Written by: Pastor Walter Robertson, III