God welcomes our burdens, unlike the kings of Persia. Esther 4:2 He (Mordecai) went as far as the gate of the palace, for no one was allowed to enter the palace gate while wearing clothes of mourning.[1] Why wasn’t Mordecai allowed past the gates in mourning clothes? “That was as far as he could go because Oriental kings lived in an artificial paradise that sheltered them from the realities of life. No sackcloth must come within their gates.”[2]
Xerxes didn’t want to know about the problems of the common people. Esther 4:3 And as news of the king’s decree reached all the provinces, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and wailed, and many people lay in burlap and ashes. [3] A large portion of the population was upset, yet the king would know nothing about it because of this rule.
Blissful Ignorance?
Haman hadn’t specified what people group to the king when he had written the decree to destroy the Jews. Esther 3: 8 Then Haman approached King Xerxes and said, “There is a certain race of people… and they refuse to obey the laws of the king. So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live.[4] The king didn’t ask for details and permitted Haman to do as he saw fit.
Xerxes may have been isolated from the people. But our Lord and Savior is not. Proverbs 15:3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.[5] Unlike King Xerxes, God sees all, understands, and allows us to bring our problems to Him.
Hebrews 4: 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. [6]
God Helps Us With Our Burdens
Life can be tough at times, and we weaken as we struggle. Yet, Jesus offers us strength and peace as we follow Him. Matthew 11: 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”[7]
Why would the God of the universe even care about our problems? He loves us. 1 Peter 5: 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. [8] Be assured that God loves you, sees what is going on in your life, cares about it, and is willing to shoulder the burden you bear.
To learn how God welcomes our burdens, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/for-such-a-time
[1, 3-8] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Es 4:1–2). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Be Committed (p. 108). Victor Books.