What Does Belief Look Like?

Esther 5:1

“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall.  The king was sitting on his royal throne….”

There were days that I got up, walked outside, and did not have any thought of my truck not starting.  Then there were days, when I was driving a beater, that I got up and the entire time I was not sure if it was going to start. I was almost dreading turning the key because I knew that I could not trust it. 

I often wonder what does belief look like?  The definition of belief is “trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something.”  Esther follows a pattern we all should get into the habit of which is prayer and fasting before major decisions.   I am not advocating becoming a monk and swearing off all communication or turning into a Catholic nun. Rather, it is practicing getting close to God and petitioning him. 

The prayer and fasting that the Jews did before Esther went to the king was in two fold.  1.  Realizing you cannot accomplish the goal without God. In fact, realizing you are never enough to defeat the devil is a good start.  Esther called all of the Jewish people to fast and pray before she went in front of the king. 2.  Getting close to God by praying and fasting allows you to hear from God and gain some faith you may not have had before. 

So, again, what does belief look like?  It looks like moving forward with God under circumstances when you don’t see the finish line.  Esther did not know if she was going to be accepted by the king or be put to death.  What does belief look like?  It looks like the last verse in chapter 4, “if I perish I perish!”  What does belief look like?  It looks like twelve disciples covering the Mediterranean spreading the gospel after spending three years with the Son of God. 

What does belief look like to you?  Are you stuck in panic mode?  Maybe it is time to ask yourself if you really believe God or if you are just playing church.  It was real to Esther because her life and the lives of all the Jewish people depended on it.  Mordecai even stated that if Esther was not up to the job, God would deliver his people by some other means.  Do you have a belief in God or are you just memorizing your church pattern?  Where is your trust, faith, or confidence?