Year of Realization - Day 35: Walk in your authority.

“On the third day of the fast, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I often said something to my sons as they were growing up that went something like this: “When you walk into a room, walk in there as though you own it. Don’t walk in backing out.”

Now, on its face that prescription may seem to go against the Lord’s prescription of humility:

“When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭7‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

But, let me ask you this, did Jesus ever forget that He was God in flesh? Of course not.

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, He became an obedient servant, even to the cross. He did not “flaunt” His authority. Yet—at the same time—He never backed down from doing what He was sent to do. He knew Who He was, and that was all that mattered.

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, the prescription to my sons was not one of arrogance, but of having the mind of Christ: you know who you are; you know with what authority you have been invested; but you humble yourself to do the will of God in the same attitude as that of our Lord when He walked among us.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬a ‭NLT‬‬

Indeed, walking into situations to which the Lord has called us with an attitude of timidity, is a sign that we don’t really believe what He said about who He has made us to be. Or, for that matter, it’s a failure to believe what He has said about Himself!

Understand, timidity is not the same as humility. Oddly, I know people who are timid, but are, in fact, very proud and show no true humility.

For our opening scripture we re-examine our passage from yesterday. Today we focus on the fact that Queen Esther—having decided that it was time to act—adorns her royal robes. She was about to do something that could cost her her life. But, she was going to walk into it, knowing who she was.

Remember, if the Lord is with you and you are walking in the path He has prepared, do so wearing your royal robes.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization