I was much encouraged while listening to a discourse from the words, “I will go in unto the king, ... and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16. In his remarks the speaker referred to those who were wavering between hope and fear, longing to be saved from their sins and receive the pardoning love of Christ, yet held in doubt and bondage by timidity and fear of failure. He counseled such ones to surrender themselves to God, and venture upon His mercy without delay. They would find a gracious Savior ready to present to them the scepter of mercy, even as Ahasuerus offered to Esther the signal of his favor. All that was required of the sinner, trembling in the presence of his Lord, was to put forth the hand of faith and touch the scepter of His grace. The touch insured pardon and peace. {LS 22.2}

Jeg blev meget opmuntret da jeg lyttede til en prædiken over ordene, jeg vil »gå ind til kongen,« »skal jeg omkomme, så lad mig da omkomme!« Ester 4,16 I hans kommentarer henvendte taleren sig til dem som vaklede mellem håb og frygt og længdes efter at blive frelst fra deres synder og modtage Kristi tilgivende kærlighed, men alligevel blev holdt i tvivl og trældom ved frygt og angst for fiasko. Han rådede disse til at overgive sig selv til Gud og vove sig ud til hans barmhjertighed uden at forhale det. De vil finde en nådig Frelser, parat til at give dem barmhjertighedens scepter, ligesom Ahasverus gav Ester et tegn for hans gunst. Alt det der krævedes af synderen, skælvende i sin Herres nærhed, var at tage troens hånd frem og røre ved hans tros scepter. Denne berøring sikrede tilgivelse og fred.