Trusting God in Life's Chaos - Esther 1
Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv
Sermon Introduction
Today we begin a message series for 2025 from the book of Esther: For Such a Time as This. God chose our parents, the place where we would be born, the time we are living in, and all our talents and abilities. We were created for such a time as this.
We’re going to explore the remarkable ways that God works behind the scenes, even when His presence isn’t immediately visible. We’ll see how God’s providence is at work in ordinary lives and how He orchestrates the events of our lives for His greater purposes. While the world may seem chaotic and the circumstances overwhelming, God is weaving each thread into His divine plan.
Have you ever seen the backside of a tapestry? The threads appear tangled, knotted, and chaotic. It’s hard to see the design. But when the tapestry is turned over, a beautiful and intricate pattern is revealed. Life often feels like the back of that tapestry – messy, disjointed, and confusing. Yet, from God’s perspective, every thread is woven intentionally to create something far greater than we can imagine.
The book of Esther takes place during the Persian Empire’s dominance, around 480 BC during the reign of King Xerxes. The Jewish people were scattered across the Persian provinces, living as exiles. Esther’s story unfolds in a context where God’s name is never directly mentioned. Yet, His providential hand can be seen weaving through the events. This absence invites us to trust that God is always at work, even when we do not perceive Him clearly.
The first chapter of Esther gives us a glimpse of life’s tangled threads. Pride, impulsive decisions, and flawed human responses seem to drive the story. But even in the absence of God’s direct mention, His hand is orchestrating events to bring about His purpose. This reflects a truth that many of us struggle with – when life feels chaotic and out of control, we question whether God is really working.
Isaiah 55:8–9 (ESV) "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
God’s ways are beyond our understanding. Much like the backside of a tapestry, His work may not make sense to us at the moment. But we can trust that His plans are perfect and complete.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
This verse reassures us that even in apparent setbacks, God is orchestrating events for our ultimate good. Every difficulty is a thread in the design that He is weaving. When life feels uncertain, it is easy to focus on the visible chaos rather than the unseen hand of God. The challenge is to trust that He is working behind the scenes, turning the tangled threads into a masterpiece for His glory.
We were created for such a time as this. So, let’s get started with Trusting God in Life’s Chaos.
Surrender Pride and Trust God’s Control
Esther 1:1–4 (ESV) "Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces … he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. … while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days."
Ahasuerus was also called Xerxes. His pride drove him to display his enormous wealth and power for 180 days. He thought his significance could be measured by his possessions and influence. In his pride, he orchestrated an elaborate display for half a year to impress others. Yet, pride often masks insecurity and leads to striving for approval that never satisfies.
Esther 1:5–9 (ESV) "And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa … a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. … Drinks were served in golden vessels … and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king. … Queen Vashti also gave a feast for the women in the palace …"
The first feast was for the king’s officials and servants. Again, King Ahasuerus' desire for man’s approval led him to host another feast for everyone in the capital city of Susa. In this feast, drinking lavishly was promoted for everyone at the banquet, setting the scene for some bad decisions by the king.
Esther 1:10–12 (ESV) "On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded … to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples … her beauty, for she was lovely to look at. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command … At this the king became enraged …"
The king now is not going to show off just his physical possession, but the beauty of his wife, Queen Vashti. The king was drunk, so the text implies that the queen was to parade before this drunken feast wearing only her royal crown. But Queen Vashti refused to come and obey the king’s command.
Vashti’s refusal shows that even the powerful face unexpected disruptions. The king’s authority was challenged by the queen, highlighting that the control we think we have is often an illusion. Unforeseen circumstances remind us of our limitations and the importance of yielding control to God. We are to trust God even when plans fall apart.
Application
Are you striving to prove your worth through success or possessions? God calls us to resist the temptation to prove ourselves to others. Our approval should come first and foremost from God. Our approval and acceptance from God do not rest in our accomplishments. God’s unconditional love comes simply when we trust our lives to Him through faith in Jesus.
There will come times in our lives when our plans seem to fall apart. Trust God in those times, His plans are beyond our understanding. He is orchestrating something even better for us than we can imagine. Let interruptions of our plans serve as invitations to rely more deeply on God’s plans, not our own.
Surrender pride and trust God’s control.
Seek God’s Wisdom Over Human Counsel
Esther 1:13–15 (ESV) "Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times … 'According to the law, what is to be done to Queen Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahasuerus?'"
Far be it from the king to think that he had made an improper command. No, the king inquires of his pagan wise men as to what he should do. His insecurity drives him to find a quick solution for his embarrassment. But hurried decisions made from fear often lack wisdom.
Esther 1:16–18 (ESV) "Then Memucan said … 'Not only against the king has Queen Vashti done wrong, but also against all the officials and all the peoples … For the queen’s behavior will be made known to all women, … and there will be contempt and wrath in plenty.'"
The king’s top advisor Memucan escalates the situation, fearing the rebellion of others. His recommendation stemmed from insecurity and exaggerated fears. Fear-driven decisions often widen the gap between us and God’s peace. We must seek God’s wisdom over human counsel.
Application
Often in times of insecurity or fear, we first turn to human counsel. When our hearts are filled with worry and anxiety, we can be driven to make quick and often wrong decisions. What is the first thing that we should do when faced with difficult circumstances? We should pause and pray before reacting and making rash decisions.
Invite God into your decision-making process, asking Him for clarity and peace. Decisions should be made from hearts at peace with God and our fellow man. Trust God’s ability to bring resolution without unnecessary intervention. There are times to speak and times to be silent and trust God to lead and guide. Allow the peace of God to quiet your anxious heart. Seek God’s wisdom first before human counsel and His peace will protect you.
Trust God’s Plan Even When Outcomes Seem Unfair
Esther 1:19–20 (ESV) "If it please the king, let a royal order go out … that Vashti is never again to come before King Ahasuerus. And let the king give her royal position to another who is better than she."
It seems that Vashti made a wise decision to not follow the drunken king’s improper request. Yet, now the royal advisors were telling the king to fire the queen and find a new queen who would obey without question. In all the sin and mistakes of a pagan king and his advisors, God was working out His divine plan for the people of Israel. God’s purposes are not derailed by human error or sin.
Esther 1:21–22 (ESV) "This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed. He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his own household …"
So, not only was Vashti removed from being queen, a royal decree was issued that every man should be master of his own household. That was code language that every woman must obey her husband, which Vashti had just refused to do.
Chaos is not a barrier to God’s work. He often works through chaos to fulfill His purposes. We must trust God’s plan even in the midst of chaos and when outcomes seem unfair. The chaotic decisions of chapter one of Esther are simply God setting the stage for a fantastic plan that will begin to unfold in Esther 2 next Sunday.
Application
How can we trust God’s plan even when life outcomes may seem unfair? Has a disappointing event left you questioning God’s plan? Reflect on past situations where setbacks led to growth or blessings. Trust that God’s purposes are never stopped by human errors or circumstances outside of our control.
We must acknowledge that we are not the captains of our own fate. We cannot control every aspect of our lives and circumstances. But God is in control of everything that touches our lives. In moments of disorder, choose to believe that God is guiding events, even when the path forward seems unclear to us. Trust that God’s hand is leading you step by step to His glory.
Conclusion
Today, we’ve talked about trusting God in life’s chaos. The story of Esther begins with a scene of chaos – extravagant feasts, prideful displays, and impulsive human decisions. Yet even in the midst of human pride and flawed judgment, God is weaving His divine purpose.
Like a tapestry that seems tangled and messy from our viewpoint, the events of life may feel random and frustrating. But when we step back, we realize God has been orchestrating every detail.
Next Sunday we’re going to learn how God has set the stage for Esther. As we reflect on this chapter, consider these truths:
- Surrendering our pride allows us to experience God’s control and provision.
- Seeking God’s wisdom helps us avoid decisions driven by fear or insecurity.
- Trusting God’s plan, even when outcomes seem unjust, aligns us with His greater purposes.
No matter how chaotic life feels, trust that God is sovereignly at work behind the scenes. He is weaving your story into something beautiful. And His unseen hand is guiding you toward His perfect plan.
