Conquering Kings and Slaying Giants

At my children's request, I have been reading Esther to them in our Bible time. This morning we read chapter two. As I read verse fifteen, something about Esther stood out to me, and I'd like to share it.

"Now when the turn of Esther...
had come to go in to the king,
she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain,
the keeper of the women, appointed.
And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her."
(Est 2:15)

I was reminded of David, as he prepared for his battle with Goliath.

"And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these [all the armor of a warrior], for I have not proved them.
And David put them off from him.
And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook,
and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip;
and his sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine...
Then said David to the Philistine,
Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield:
but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
This day will the LORD deliver thee into my hand;
and I will smite thee, and take thy head from thee;
and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day to the fowls of the air,
and to the wild beasts of the earth;
that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear:
for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands."
(From 1 Samuel 17:38-47)

Both David and Esther went to their battles shunning the devices of human victories. They left the props behind. They went in simplicity, trusting the Lord to supply their lack. Esther went to conquer a king -- simply, as herself, trusting God. David went to slay a giant -- simply, as himself, trusting God.

Lord, help me to go to Your work simply, as myself, trusting You. I don't want to clothe myself in the strength of man, but in Your strength. And I want to be clothed in Your beauty -- the beauty of holiness, not in the fashions of this world. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

"...who through faith subdued kingdoms,
worked righteousness,
obtained promises,
stopped the mouths of lions,
quenched the violence of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword,
out of weakness were made strong,
became valiant in battle,
turned to flight the armies of the aliens."
(From Hebrews 11)