ESTHER 2:12: Each young woman’s turn came to gain to King Ahasuerus after she had completed
twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of
their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and
preparations for beautifying women.
To many Nebraskans, football is king. Every game at the University of Nebraska takes a lot of
preparation. Two days before the game 25 people meet to plan their strategies for ensuring that
everything runs smoothly.
Game day begins at 3:30A.M. for a 1:00 P.M. kickoff. In the following hours concession deliveries
provide for 10,000 slices of pizza, 20,000 hot dogs, 60,000 drinks and a half ton of popcorn.
Security details make multiple sweeps of the stadium; electricians and plumbers activate the
necessary systems; identification Checkers take up their posts; and various police units prepare to
respond to any emergency. Before the day is over, some workers will have put in more than 14 hours
of preparation.
Yet all these preparations are nothing compared with those endured by the women chosen to meet
the king of Persia. For six months they bathed in oil of myrrh. For another six months they soaked in
perfumes just to be ready when their time came to meet Ahasuerus.
Christians also have an appointment with their King. The apostle Paul speaks of that moment when
“we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17). What a glorious moment that will
be!
But now is the time to prepare. Today is all we have to earn the right to be called “good and faithful
servants.” Yesterday is gone; tomorrow may never come. Seize your opportunities today.
YOU HAVE ETERNITY TO ENJOY THE HONEY MOON, BUT ONLY A SHORT TIME TO PREPARE
FOR THE WEDDING.