A New Decree Turning Sorrow to Joy

When King Ahasuerus learned that Haman had hurt Esther's people, he gave Haman's whole estate to Queen Esther. Esther brought her cousin Mordecai before the king, who took the special signet ring from his finger and placed it on Mordecai's hand. From that day Mordecai became the king's chief helper. Yet Esther's heart was still heavy. Haman's earlier decree to destroy her people had already been sent out to the provinces, and by the law of Persia it could not be taken back. Once again she put on her royal robes and walked toward the king's hall in tears, falling at his feet to beg for her people. King Ahasuerus held out the golden scepter and said gently to Esther, "You and Mordecai may use my ring and write a new letter in my name, so that the Jews may stand up bravely on that day to protect themselves." Mordecai sat down and wrote the new letter and sealed it with the king's signet. Swift messengers carried the good news over hill and dale to every corner of the kingdom. When Mordecai walked out of the palace in royal robes of blue and white and a golden crown, the whole city cheered. Families hugged one another and children danced in the streets. The night of weeping had turned into the morning of joy. This story tells us: God's grace is greater than any wicked decree that cannot be undone. When we cry out to God with tears in our eyes, He will write a new decree for us, one that turns our sorrow into joy.

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Moral

After Haman's deadly decree had been sent out, all hope seemed to be gone. By the law of Persia, even the king himself could not take back that order. But God's grace is not limited by any decree that cannot be changed. When Esther cried out before the king in tears, God's grace, through one ring and one new letter, lifted every Jewish family in the kingdom out from under the shadow of death. Let us remember three things. First, when there seems to be no way out, do not despair. God always opens a new way in the impossible. Second, when we cry out to God with tears in our eyes, His grace is already writing a new decree of "sorrow turned to joy" for us. Third, hope does not depend on whether our circumstances change. It depends on whether God hears our prayer. Those who weep for a night will rejoice in the morning, for His grace is for a lifetime.