Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

–Parallel verses:
II Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬-‭17‬
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

One of my favorite movies of all time tells the story of the American Revolution. The movie is called The Patriot, with Mel Gibson. In one of the most telling scenes in the movie, we find the “red coats” or the British soldiers lined up in perfect rank and order on the battlefield, outnumbering the American colonists seemingly 10 to 1. The American colonists also formed rank and stood there through two rounds of firing. (This was not the way they usually fought). Then they retreated. This emboldened the British to send all of their forces at once to rout out the American colonists once and for all. But the American colonists had ranks formed of another kind on the backside of the hill. They surprised the British and fought valiantly. But alas, when hope seemed fleeting, they retreated for real initially. But their leader, Benjamin Martin, grabbed the fallen American Flag, raced up the hill and waved it all around calling his comrades to surge now and once more. This final surge was decisive in winning the battle. It was also a turning point in the war.

In the cross reference passage in II Kings, we find that the city Elisha and his servant were in, Dothan, was surrounded by a large army of enemy forces. The king wanted to capture Elisha the prophet, because he told the king of Israel all of the moves of his enemies in advance. (As a prophet of God, he had been given this intel from God). As Elisha’s servant saw the army surrounding them — he worried, thinking all was lost. But Elisha the prophet reassured him: “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then he prayed that God would open his servant’s eyes. And when they were opened to the spiritual world, he saw chariots of fire and an angelic army that was far greater than the army surrounding their city. Elisha called on God to blind the enemy invaders, which he did, and he deceived them and led them into Samaria.

I feel like this is what Esther is doing, she is calling on her people to establish spiritual battle lines by fasting and praying for three days to focus solely on the Sovereign God and King! He has ways to win earthly battles that no human power can fathom or understand, let alone defend against. We shall see the war path she plans, no doubt inspired by God’s Spirit.

So when the battle lines are drawn against me, though I have done my best to serve God in truth and righteousness, will I too call on my family and friends to pray with me and form spiritual battle lines of my own? And will I keep my hope in God? He has a giant spiritual army that far outnumbers the powers and forces of this world. And he will fight my battles for me.

Lord, I lay all things into your hands. I pray and claim Isaiah 43:1-4 over current and future battles I face because of your name!

“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
(‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭1‬-‭4‬)