How to Find God's Favor: Esther's Secret

Jimmy Fortunato

May 24, 2025

How to Find God's Favor: Esther's Secret

What if You Could Have God's Favor Like Never Before?

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to find favor with God? In a world where we constantly seek approval from others, there's something far more valuable—divine favor that transforms everything. The Bible reveals this extraordinary secret through a young Jewish woman named Esther, whose simple approach led to unprecedented favor with both God and man.

The 12-Month Transformation That Changed Everything

In Esther chapter 2, we discover an extraordinary account of preparation and purification that modern culture rarely understands:

"Now when every maid's turn was come to go in unto king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)" - Esther 2:12 (KJV)

The Significance of Twelve Months

This wasn't arbitrary. In a culture obsessed with instant gratification and microwave solutions, Esther's story teaches us that genuine transformation takes time. The twelve-month period served multiple purposes:

  • Physical purification with oil of myrrh (which had antiseptic properties)

  • Spiritual preparation through a prescribed process

  • Character development away from familiar surroundings

  • Maturity confirmation in a culture where marriage happened much younger

The myrrh itself is symbolic—bitter to taste yet sweet in fragrance, used for both anointing and embalming. Like our spiritual growth, it represented both suffering and preservation, death to self and preparation for purpose.

A Pagan Environment, Righteous Behavior

Consider Esther's challenging circumstances:

  • Orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordecai

  • Taken from her home into a foreign king's palace

  • Surrounded by pagan influences and competing maidens

  • No godly examples or church family for guidance

Yet Scripture records: "And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her." - Esther 2:15 (KJV)

The Power of "She Required Nothing"

Here's where Esther's story becomes personally challenging for every believer. While other maidens requested additional cosmetics, jewelry, and enhancements to impress the king, the Bible records something remarkable:

"Now when the turn of Esther the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed." - Esther 2:15 (KJV)

Three Words That Changed Everything: "She Required Nothing"

This phrase reveals the secret to Esther's universal favor. While others:

  • Demanded their preferences

  • Insisted on their opinions

  • Sought to gain advantage through material means

Esther chose contentment and submission to what was appointed for her.

Modern Application for Spiritual Growth

This principle applies directly to our relationship with the Holy Spirit:

  • Do we trust God's appointments for our lives?

  • Are we content with His purification process?

  • Do we constantly insert our opinions into His plans?

  • Can we say, like Esther, "I require nothing but what You appoint"?

The truth is, the Holy Spirit has our best interests in mind. He should be the One appointing what we need, purifying and sanctifying us. Too often, we think we need to help God out, insert our ideas, or call timeout on His processes.

Divine Favor vs. Human Effort

Notice the supernatural result: "And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her." This doesn't happen naturally. Even the most likeable person has someone who doesn't care for them. Universal favor is a God thing—divine intervention working behind the scenes.

Living Like Esther in Today's World

For Young People

Young ladies today face pressures Esther never encountered—social media, celebrity culture, and constant comparison. Yet you can choose Esther's path:

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)

You have advantages Esther didn't:

  • Parents who know the Bible

  • A church family grounded in Scripture

  • Pastors who teach God's Word

  • Multiple godly influences speaking into your life

With greater opportunity comes greater responsibility. Will you commit to doing right like Esther did?

For All Believers

Esther's example challenges us to:

  1. Trust God's timing - Growth takes time, not instant gratification

  2. Submit to His process - Even when we don't understand or control it

  3. Practice contentment - "She required nothing" should be our motto

  4. Prepare for eternity - We too will meet our eternal King

The Multi-Generational Perspective

Real change doesn't happen overnight. It takes multi-generational faithfulness to breed out the baggage of dysfunctional, broken homes. Constant Bible teaching and preaching against sin is necessary because secular culture bombards us daily with hours of opposing messages.

Preparing to Meet Your King

Esther was preparing to meet an earthly king, but if you're saved, you're preparing to meet your eternal King. Are you living in preparation for eternity?

Like Esther's prescribed purification process, allow the Author of grace—the Lord Jesus Christ—to grow you according to His perfect plan. Trust His appointments, require nothing beyond what He provides, and watch Him work behind the scenes to give you favor that only comes from Him.

The choice is yours: Will you be like the other maidens, constantly requiring more and trusting in human effort? Or will you be like Esther, content with God's appointments and trusting His perfect process?

🎧✨ Want to dive deeper into this powerful message? Listen to the complete expository preaching session where this verse-by-verse bible teaching unfolds even more biblical truths from Esther's story. This comprehensive sermon explores additional insights about spiritual preparation, contentment, and finding God's favor in a pagan world.

Listen to the Full Sermon Here →

Experience the full impact of systematic, verse-by-verse bible teaching that brings these ancient truths to life for modern believers.

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