A Story of Providence

The Work of God: A Story of Providence opens a new mini-series within the Year of Biblical Literacy, inviting us into the morally complex and seemingly God-less narrative of the Book of Esther. Unlike more straightforward biblical heroes, Esther and Mordecai are deeply compromised figures. They conceal their identities, make questionable decisions, and appear to thrive in a corrupt, pagan empire. Yet the brilliance of the story — and its enduring power — is in what remains unseen. God is never mentioned by name, but His providence and sovereignty saturate every twist and turn.

In this first sermon, we explore Esther chapter 1 and the world of King Xerxes — a man whose power, decadence, and foolishness mirror the cultural forces we still wrestle with today: wealth, beauty, self-indulgence, and systemic injustice. The story begins not with heroic virtue but with absurdity and abuse of power. And yet, the Book of Esther functions as a mirror: it reveals the brokenness of our cultural moment and our own tendency toward compromise.

But the invitation isn’t to despair. Esther’s story is one of formation. Though she begins far from God, she is drawn into His purposes through crisis, identity, and costly obedience. The message for modern disciples is clear: God works through ordinary, flawed people to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Even when He seems hidden, He is present. Even in exile, He is sovereign.

Rooted in echoes of the Exodus and refracted through the lens of the cross, Esther invites us to trust the hidden hand of God, surrender our self-preserving tendencies, and live faithfully in a world that often feels like exile. This is the work of God — in history, in the margins, and in us.