The Children's Chapel Award-winning site, featuring Bible stories from a variety of authors, excellent Christian resources for children, and over 140 links to other Christian and family-friendly sites for kids. ~ A Ministry of The Missing Link, Inc. ~ The Girl Who Moved to a Palace - Part 4 by Rosemarie Ann Haas (Continued from Part 3) Donnie was SO afraid. He KNEW what he had to do, but couldn't seem to get the COURAGE to do it. Then he remembered his Sunday school teacher's words: "God has promised NEVER to leave you alone. He has promised to always stay by your side." "Maybe what I need to do right now is kneel beside my bed and ask God to help me," Donnie thought to himself. When he got up from his knees, Donnie felt SO much better. He knew, with God's help, he COULD do it! Can you think of a time when you were very AFRAID to do something you knew you HAD to do but really didn't WANT to? Did you stop to pray and ask God to help you so you could have the courage to do the right thing? It's not always EASY to do the right thing, but it's always RIGHT! * * * Esther leaned against one of the tall pillars and sighed heavily. This was HARDER than she had expected. The three days of fasting and praying were over, and she was going to see the King. No one had stopped her - not yet at least. She pushed her hair out of her face and took a deep breath. Her servants had made Esther look very pretty to see the King, but she was still VERY nervous. After all, the King only saw people he INVITED and NEVER allowed anyone to come at the spur of the moment, without his telling them to come. The only exception would be if the King held out his golden scepter. Then the person's life would be spared - but ONLY then. Esther walked away from the security of the pillar and stepped into the throne room quietly. King Xerxes sat on his throne talking to his advisors softly. When he saw Esther approaching, the room became [WHISPERING] VERY quiet - even QUIETER than it had been before. Everyone looked back and forth between the King and the Queen. "Would he pardon her?" they wondered. Esther continued to walk closer to his throne. She closed her eyes for a moment and breathed in slowly. [PAUSE] A broad smile spread across the King's face. Esther felt relieved as he majestically held out his golden scepter to her. Esther reached out and gracefully touched the top of the golden scepter. "What is it that you wish, Queen Esther? Whatever you want, you will get, even if it is HALF my kingdom," King Xerxes said with a welcoming smile. Esther swallowed and said in a rush, "My lord, if it please the King, would you and Haman come to a banquet I have prepared for you both today?" King Xerxes smiled even wider. Esther smiled back. "I think it's going to work," she thought to herself. The King turned to his aides and said, "Tell Haman to hurry and get ready that he may do as Esther has said." So the King and Haman came to Esther's banquet. King Xerxes knew Esther wanted to ask some sort of favor of him, so he asked her again what it was. "My Queen, what is it that you wish for? I will give it to you, even if it means HALF my kingdom." Esther answered, "Please come with Haman to another banquet that I shall prepare for you tomorrow. Then I will tell you what it is that I want." Haman was proud that he had been invited to both banquets - he and no one but the King - but, as he was leaving the palace, he passed Mordecai outside the gates, who STILL refused to bow. He was VERY angry, but did not say anything. When he got home, Haman called for his friends and family, and bragged to them about how wealthy he was. "The King has promoted me above all the princes and servants," he boasted. "Queen Esther let only ME and the King into a banquet with her tonight and I am invited again TOMORROW night to be with the Queen and the King." But there was MORE than bragging. Haman came home VERY upset about Mordecai the Jew, who kept getting under his skin. He went on and on about how Mordecai NEVER bowed to him and REFUSED to stand and give him the respect he thought he deserved. Then his wife made a suggestion. "Make a gallows seventy-five feet high and tomorrow ask the King for permission to hang the man! Then you can be happy at the Queen's banquet." Haman was SO pleased with this suggestion, he had the gallows made the VERY next day. That night, the King could not sleep. He called to his servants to bring him the history book telling of the most important events of his reign. As the servants read to the King, he noticed the item about how Mordecai had saved his life, for he had been the one to tell him about the plot through Esther. "Stop! Wait a minute!" King Xerxes commanded. "How has Mordecai been rewarded for this?" "My lord, nothing has been done for him," they replied to the King. THINK! 1. Do you think it was God who kept King Xerxes awake so that he could be reminded of what Mordecai did? 2. What do you think King Xerxes will do to reward Mordecai? 3. What would have happened if the King had not held out his golden scepter to Esther? 4. What did Esther ask the King to do? 5. Who was invited to Esther's banquet? REMEMBER Whenever you are afraid, you can cry out to God and He will help you. A VERSE TO LEARN "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4). ALTERNATIVE VERSES TO LEARN "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:26). "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). PRACTICAL APPLICATION Have you ever been jealous over someone else? Did your jealousy hurt YOU or THEM? Have you ever been so upset with someone that you said you wished they were dead? Is it okay to wish that? What would be the better way to act when you are upset with someone? Tell us about a time you've been afraid. How did God help you? [After discussion:] Jealousy usually hurts you and the other person. Ask God to help you not to be jealous of others, but rather be happy for them when it goes well with them. When you are upset with someone, talk to God about it and tell Him how you feel. Then ask Him to help you forgive and teach you ways you can show love to them instead. Learn Bible verses that help you be strong in faith and don't forget to thank God for helping you not feel afraid. LET'S PRAY **************************************************** Dear God, help me to remember that you will never leave me alone. Help me to love everyone just like You love me. In Jesus' Name. Amen. **************************************************** CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE? Esther 5; 6:1-3 Pictures Courtesy of Free Bible Images ----------------------------------------------------------------- BIBLE STORY ARCHIVE http://childrenschapel.org/bibstory2.html REPORT A BROKEN LINK The Children\'s Chapel award-winning site, featuring Bible stories from a variety of authors, excellent Christian resources for children, and over 140 links to other Christian and family-friendly sites for kids ----------------------------------------------------------------- Free Bible Stories! To receive a new Bible story each week, enter your e-mail address under "Subscribe..." at tscpulpitseries.cis.to/mailman/listinfo/stories You will be sent a message requesting confirmation of your subscription request. IMPORTANT! 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