Credibility

You must gain credibility if you want to influence people for Jesus.

“Then Queen Esther replied, ‘If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me as my request, and my people as my wish.’”—Esther 7:3 NASB

Queen Vashti had defied King Ahasuerus. When he asked her to show off her beauty at a banquet, she wouldn’t cooperate. He became incensed and removed her as queen.

Through miraculous circumstances, Esther became the new queen. She knew what had happened to Vashti and seemed keenly aware of her limits. When Haman, the king’s advisor, sought to eliminate the Jews, her uncle, Mordecai, urged Esther to use her position to save them. But Esther was reluctant. She had not been summoned to the king for 30 days, and she knew the consequences of displeasing him.

Finally, after much prayer, Esther acted in faith and approached the king. As a result of her efforts, the Jews were able to defend themselves, Haman was eliminated, and Mordecai was elevated to prominence. Instead of defeat, they celebrated victory!

This courageous act would not have been possible if Esther had not gained credibility with the king. She accused the second most powerful man in the kingdom! But Ahasuerus chose to believe her because she had proven herself to be a trustworthy person of integrity.

Esther’s testimony demonstrates why our character and reputation are so important. With others watching us and evaluating how we live, we must obey God’s Word and be faithful, honest, and trustworthy. Make your life a testimony to the truth of the Gospel.

Reflection Question: What can you do today to impact people with the Gospel?