In this fragment "She required nothing", (Esther 2: 15) we see the secret of
divine favor. Those who are going to be joined together as life partners in the
presence of God and before His people have a longing to be blessed by God. The
very fact that they want to be joined in the House of God shows their longing that
the Lord may bless their union. They know somehow, unless God blesses their union,
whatever they may do or possess will not bring true happiness in their lives. But God
also wants His own divine laws to be fulfilled before He can bless them. He is the God
of blessing, and He desires to bless us as He says in Heb.6: 14, "Surely blessing I
will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee". That means, as far as God is
concerned He is willing to bless us throughout eternity. It also means, He goes on
adding blessing-to-blessing everyday, every month, every year and throughout the
ages. There is no end to it. What a promise and what a blessing, and that blessing
are upon all those who call upon God.

God is not a respecter of persons. Whatever He offers to one He offers to all,
provided you are willing to abide by the divine laws. Whatever He gives is for
eternity and in abundance. He wants to give us everything in fullness and abundance
as we read in John 16:24. "Ask..That your joy may be full". These words were
spoken to those disciples who were with Him for three and a half years. During those
years, they saw many miracles performed by our Lord Jesus and were privileged to
be with Him when He performed the miracles.

In Luke 10 we see that the disciples were sent by the Lord two by two, and
they also per formed miracles, and came back rejoicing to tell the Lord, "even the
devils are subject unto us through thy name". But the Lord knew, that none of those
things could make their joy full. He did not want them to take pride in the miracles
they had performed. So He said, "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits
are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven"
(Luke 10:20). When you are sure that your name is found in the Book of Life, only
then, your life can be blessed abundantly. That is only possible when we are given
the gift of Eternal life. That is why the Lord Jesus Christ came into this world as He
said in John 10: 10. "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: lam come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly". Also in John 6:47, He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me hath everlasting life". New life will give you new joy. When the new
life comes into us the Lord will teach us all His Divine laws. The Divine life will make
you content and give you true inward peace as the Lord said in John 14:27, "Peace I
leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". Whatever we receive from
the world in the form of wealth, gold, silver, honor, position and prosp'3rity is only
for a short time. You find your earthly joy melting away after you have received what
you have desired. But there is a joy, which becomes more and more in suffering and
trials. It does not depend upon our health, position, wealth or knowledge. That is
why we read that small fragment from God's Word, "She required nothing".

The story of Esther is an old story and a true story .It took place about 2000
B.C. It is a true story of how a woman named Esther was brought in favor with a
great king named Ahasuerus. We are told that many young women were brought
before him one by one. Before they were presented before the king, they were told
that whatever they desired they could ask for it and they would be given. They were
told, "You bring your requirements, and you will receive them freely without any
restriction, whether you require garments, gold, silver, or things for purification, ask
for them and take them". Nothing was withheld from them. Here we are told in verse
15, that Esther required nothing. Other women had a long list daily. But Esther
required nothing. What a miracle for a person to say, " I want nothing". I do not
know of any one who has said, "I do not want anything". Some are never satisfied
with whatever they are given. You may give your wife 100sarees, she will ask for 10
more and some more. They want something new every month. You may give them
any kind of jewels. They are not satisfied. Some husbands take all their salaries to
their wives. They wait for the payday of their husbands. If the husband gives Rs.25/-
less, she will question him, "What happened? Why this month Rs.25/- less? Where
did you spend it and what did you do with it and to whom did you give it?" And the
whole salary will be spent within 10 days and they want more money. They are not
satisfied whosoever they are.

Here the story says, when Esther's turn came she required nothing. The result
was, she found favor. Esther found favor from all who, looked upon her. Not only
was she brought in favor with the king, but she found favor with every one in the
palace. She became the most God- fearing queen, and through her life and faith the
whole nation of Israel was saved. She learned that secret, how to be content and
how to be satisfied. She knew that nothing in the world could satisfy her. However
attractive the world may be, it could never satisfy her. There are so many men and
women, who think by eating and drinking or by buying garments or gold or silver or
jewels, they can get pleasure.

Many people think that by eating and drinking and having expensive clothes,
gold and silver, they can get pleasure. That is why their lives are a failure. Before
marriage they go on making enquiries through relations, brokers and friends, as to
how much dowry they will get, or how much land they can have. They will not say
openly but secretly they enquire, how many children the father has and how much
she will get. After making sure they will say, "Now I am satisfied". But supposing
they are not satisfied they will say, "We have no peace in this alliance", because
their eyes are upon worldly things, or upon the girl's complexion, qualification etc.
That is why they are disappointed.

In Esther 2:7 we find that Esther's first name was Hadassah. Then her name
was changed to Esther. The name Hadassah means an ordinary myrtle tree, Esther
means, "bright shining star". There are many shining stars in the sky but there is a
wonderful star, which is called Venus -a very bright shining star. That is the meaning
of Esther. When she came to Babylon, in the beginning hardly anyone knew her. She
came as a captive, or a slave, as an orphan girl, without any prominence. But
because of her virtues, she became a bright shining star and her name was changed
from Hadassah to Esther, as one who had received new life.

Here lies the divine secret of a happy home. The light of God must shine in
the hearts of those who are going to be joined together. Many people are governed
by faces. They ask, "Is she fair or dark? Is she fat or lean?" They put many
questions, either through friends or neighbors. The outward appearance is no proof
of inward beauty. The light of God shining within gives true beauty. That is why, as
far as possible, those who are going to be joined together, should make sure that the
light of God has come to shine in them. Then we are sure that they will enjoy God's
favor. Then they can also enjoy God's presence with them.

What an honor we have in having the loving and living God with us! How
much we lose by not knowing the secret of God's presence. God's Word says in Psa.
16: 11, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore". It is only in the presence of God that
one can have full and true joy. Without that consciousness of God's presence you
cannot have true joy. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to live in those who
are born again. That is why He rose again. It was prophesied that He would die and
rise again. He said in Matt.28: 20, "10, I am with you always". The living God, the
Holy God, the loving God, and the mighty God came to live in us and among us. That
experience will give you victory over every trial.

We thank God for those who are joined together in God's House, after having
the experience of new birth. None of us is a born Christian.

By having a living experience with the living Lord Jesus, we become
Christians. Otherwise no one has a right to be called a Christian. God's Word says so
in Rom. 8:9, last part. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
his". How can a holy God live in a sinful heart? It is not possible. Will you receive a
gUl3St of honor into a house, which is not swept for many years? I have traveled for
many years and no one has ever allowed me to stay in a dirty house. How are you
going to receive the Holy God into a filthy heart? God's Word says, "All have sinned".
Before God, we all have filthy hearts. Only God can wash them and cleanse them.
Those who want to be indwelt by God must have their sins forgiven and their hearts
cleansed. That is why the Lord shed His blood and died. The living and the Holy God
is willing to live in us. How can we know? We can feel the presence of God always. In
sickness or health, in poverty or prosperity, in the midst of enemies or friends, far
away from home, or right inside the home, in young age or old age, in war or
famine, earthquake or scarcity, you will enjoy His presence. It is such an experience
that gives happiness to the children of God. The great God, the mighty God, comes
to live in us.

To have a happy home, be content. Do not murmur or complain, but prove
God in every situation. Enjoy His presence at all times. God's Word says, "I will
never leave thee nor forsake thee". May the Lord make this true in your home.