I love the story of Esther. This morning, as my daily reading had me go through chapters three through eight, the ah-ha that grabbed my attention was found in the footnotes that accompany verses 4:17-5:1. God was in control, yet Mordecai and Esther had to act. We cannot understand how both can be true at the same time, and yet they are. God chooses to work through those willing to act for Him. We should pray as if all depended on God and act as if all depended on us… (NIV footnotes)

Esther knew what she needed to do, yet had the wisdom to seek prayerful covering prior to her appearance before the king. She and all of the Jews who were willing to join her in fasting and praying, did so with all of their hearts for three days prior to her act of faith. For Esther to…