Today, we see how Haman’s story comes to an end. He is impaled on the very pole he had built for Mordecai. This comes to completion when Esther does the right thing. She has courage. This got me thinking about all the times in my life when I did not have courage. When I did not do the right thing. When I blinked. What matters is not the past when we may not have gotten it right, but what matters is now. Our mistakes don’t destroy us; they are tools that we can use in the future to have courage and do the right thing.

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As we read, the drama reaches its peak. Queen Esther reveals her true identity and pleads for her life and the lives of her people. “If I have found favor with you, your majesty,” she says, “and if it pleases you, grant me my life and spare my people.” She’s bold, courageous, and completely vulnerable.

But the real bombshell comes when she identifies the enemy: “An adversary and an enemy—this vile Haman!” Can you imagine the look on Haman’s face? His whole scheme, his lies, and his pride come crashing down in an instant.

What I love here is Esther’s bravery. She doesn’t just ask for the Jewish people to be spared—she declares, “These are my people.” She aligns herself with their suffering and makes it clear that saving them is the same as saving her. That’s a powerful act of solidarity and courage.

Meanwhile, Haman’s pride becomes his undoing. The very pole he built to execute Mordecai becomes the instrument of his own death. It’s poetic justice, isn’t it? All his plotting and arrogance lead to his downfall.

This chapter reminds us of the importance of courage. Esther had every reason to be afraid—approaching the king could’ve cost her life. But she chose to do the right thing, even when it was risky. That’s what courage is: being afraid and doing the right thing anyway.

It also highlights how God’s justice often works in unexpected ways. Haman thought he was invincible, but God had other plans. It’s a reminder to trust in God’s timing and sovereignty, even when things seem uncertain.

I think we’ve all had moments when we blinked—when fear held us back from doing what we knew was right. I know I’ve been there. But as my mentor Steve Castile once told me, “Don’t beat yourself up for the mistakes you made in the past. You weren’t then who you are now.” That’s such a freeing thought, isn’t it?

We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it. When we’re faced with difficult decisions today, we can choose to act with courage. We can choose to trust God, even when the outcome isn’t clear.

So today, let’s be like Esther. Let’s choose courage. Let’s stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. And let’s trust that God is with us every step of the way.

Thanks for spending this time with me. I’ll miss being with you next week, but I’m looking forward to picking back up with chapter 8 when I return. Have a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead! Stay warm, stay safe, and be brave.