Esther 1:1-3 (ESV)

[1] Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, [2] in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel, [3] in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him,

Thus begins the story of Esther. A mighty king throws a three-month party to impress people and show off his greatness. The party involved great amounts of alcohol, excessive displays of wealth, and likely considerable immorality. One would not expect a story of God’s gracious protection and provision to start in such a manner.

Maybe that expectation in itself reveals a problem with our faith. Why is it that we can believe that a story of God’s protection and provision would begin with circumstances of safety, peace, morality, and power, but not with debauchery, arrogance, and abuse of power? Do we really believe that God is limited by circumstances? We have been trying to manufacture revival and morality by programs, processes, and procedures. We have acted as though God can only work if the circumstances are right. Since when has God been limited by circumstances?

Creation was brought into existence out of nothing. Redemption grew out of sin, separation, and death. The ark would never have been used to save the world had not sin brought about its destruction. Abraham and Sarah received a child of promise out of a barren womb. David became king after hiding in caves, fearing for his life. Jeremiah’s prophecies came true after being thrown in a well, and then being forced to go to Egypt where God had told them not to go. Daniel and his friends were spared more than once in the face of unlikely odds. God rarely works powerfully when the circumstances are right. He almost always shows up when conditions are hopeless.

Not only does he show up when conditions are hopeless, but he rarely works the way we expect him to work. Who would have imagined that God would produce a great nation from a childless couple over ninety years old? Who would have dreamed that God would spare three young men from a fiery furnace so hot that it killed the men who threw them in the furnace? Who would have fancied that God would spare a man faithful in prayer by shutting the mouths of hungry lions?  Who would have thought that the means to sparing the people of God in captivity would be a party filled with debauchery, and ending in a royal divorce?

God is not limited by circumstances and resources. God rarely conforms to our expectations. God is God. No matter what laws are passed in our country; no matter who is in power; no matter what society becomes, God never stops being God. He will accomplish his purposes even if he needs to use depraved leaders and wicked people to do so. He is not limited by our imagination, expectation, or even our ability to anticipate what he will do next. God is a God of surprises, and a God of startling grace and power. We can trust him! He is greater than our circumstances.