Behind the Scenes – Anne Adams
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NIV)
Many years ago, an elderly and frail professor lived in an apartment on the top floor of the college’s main building so he could easily reach his classes. It worked well, but he was often asked: “Don’t you get lonely up there?”
“No, the only neighbor above me is God,” he would say. “He’s busy, but He’s quiet.”
As we can see in our passage, Esther learned God worked the same way in her life when she used her new position as Queen of Persia to help preserve her people, the Jews. She was able to see the Lord had worked behind the scenes – where He was quiet – but busy.
Occasionally, we find it’s the same in our lives. But how can that happen? It might be when God suddenly answers a once uttered but long forgotten prayer. Or maybe he eases our anxiety with a solution to a long term struggle. However God does it, we often don’t realize what he’s done until we look back to past events and stand amazed.
And all for our benefit and His glory.
Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5 NIV)
Anne lives in Texas, writes an historical column for a local paper, has published one book, and writes for Christian and secular publications. Contact
