Been reading in Esther the last couple of mornings as part of my reading plan. As with so many books in the Bible, I start out in Esther with a certain anticipation. I’ve read it before . . . I know what’s going to happen . . . and the anticipation factor? . . . well, it is in not finding God.

Huh? What kind of Bible am I reading? . . . and why would I be “excited” about not finding God. Well, first of all, it’s a pretty standard version of the Bible . . . New King James . . . and it doesn’t matter what version you read, you’re not going to find God . . . at least not explicitly. And the “excitement” factor is in not finding God yet seeing God all over the pages of this book . . . it’s in discovering afresh the God who isn’t there . . . but is. There in the “circumstances” . . . clearly working behind the scenes . . . yet getting no formal mention in the “program” or the “after-show credits”. Fascinating to read this God-breathed, Holy Spirit inspired, preserved through the ages, portion of Scripture and to discover God all throughout it with Him being mentioned even once. Oh, how I love God’s multi-faceted way of presenting Himself through Scripture . . . even when it’s by not presenting Himself.

Case in point . . Esther chapter 2. The king of the Persian and Medes has de-crowned his queen and has set up a search to replace her. He gathers up all the beautiful young women in his kingdom . . . puts them on a 12 month beautification program . . . and then spends one night with each of them with the purpose of choosing one to be queen. Enter Hadassah (Hebrew name) aka Esther (Persian name) . . . orphan . . . brought up by her older cousin Mordecai . . . able to trace her heritage to those of the house of Judah taken into captivity in Babylon . . . one of God’s “chosen people”.

And three times you read in Esther 2 that she “obtained favor”. First she obtained favor with Hegai, the custodian in charge or preparing the young women for the king (2:9). Then, as she prepares to take her turn with king, it’s recorded that “Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her” (2:15). And finally, it is the king who is taken with her, “The king loved Esther . . . and she obtained grace and favor in his sight . . . so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen . . .” (2:17).

Coincidence? . . . Luck? . . . Or, the divine hand of God working behind the scenes? Not to say that Esther didn’t have something going for her . . . she must have been physically beautiful . . . and “naturally attractive” . . . but so were a lot of the other young women . . . so why her? Read on . . . it becomes clear that she was raised up to such a position of honor for a very specific purpose. Though she may have thought herself not in control of these events . . . considered herself “lucky” to have not ended up with all the “castaway” women in the king’s concubine house . . . it becomes evident very soon that the favor she realized was the favor of God . . . orchestrated by the power of God . . . in order to preserve the people of God . . . that He might fulfill the promises of God.

If you’re reminded of anything by the book of Esther it’s that God most often works behind the scenes. Not many of us are going to see a burning bush . . . or a sea parted . . . but each one of us who have been claimed and redeemed as a child of God, needs to know that God is just as active in our own worlds. No circumstance separate from His Sovereign concern for us . . . no trial unknown to the One who has promised never to leave us or forsake us . . . no success apart from His good hand upon our lives.

Oh, that I would be constantly aware of the God who works behinds the scenes. Keep me, Spirit within me, from ascribing my fortunes to “luck” or, worse yet, my abilities and efforts . . . keep me from despairing at God’s “absence” when trials come . . . keep me in the ever-present awareness that His hand is upon my life . . . that His care for me is 24/7 . . . that His purposes for me are being accomplished . . . in His way . . . at His time. Spirit within me, help me to believe, trust, and remain faithful to the God who “isn’t there” . . . but is. For His glory, amen!