There were probably many who were qualified to be king Xerxes' queen were it not for the fact, God had prepared Esther to be that person. Not only was she a virgin, but she was a devout Jew living in captivity whom would deliver God's people out of the oppressor's hand.

The oppressor's name was Haman and through his treachery, he sought to have all the Jews including Esther's uncle, Mordecai killed. But God's servant was sitting beside the king and she was loved greatly by him. Because of her conviction to remain pure, her decision to serve her people without compromise, God's people were blessed.

Today, it's hard to find a young woman with conviction to stay pure. Premarital sex has become all too common and unfortunately God's people are no exception. Today, the greatest message to young single Christian girls is one of becoming pure "again" after having been sexually active. And those who choose to remain a virgin are too often ridiculed by their Christian "friends" who not only reject conviction but instead justify their indiscretion by believing true "love" trumps biblical admonition.

Guys reading this today might get the idea today's lesson is about women. Interestingly, the Bible seldom makes a distinction between men and women when it comes to moral purity. God wants men to remain pure just as much as he desires women to do it.

Are you living under the influence of the Bible in your home? Have you made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ and claim to be a Christian? If so, I trust you will listen to God's word today. Esther saved her people because she was in the right place at the right time. But if she had surrendered her convictions to the world, she would have likely never been chosen and never been the source of blessing we know her to be. Being morally pure is more than a suggestion; it's a command.

I wonder what it is in us that makes us think we, as God's children can live like the devil and still claim to be blessed? Maybe we need to peel the wrapper off our blessings and see who really gave it to us.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Es. 1:1-3:15 1 Co. 11:17-34 Ps. 35:17-28 Pr. 21:19-20 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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