God’s Royal Promise: Joseph & Esther’s Faith Journey

Christ offers us the greatest promise: we are to be His family, His heirs to the throne—royalty made in the likeness of God, sharing in His divine life. But it doesn’t always feel that way. Our family might criticize our life of faith or even reject us because of it. Our coworkers and supervisors may not like that we set boundaries around certain times of the day or days of the week. Even our friends might send us the message, “It’s time for us to head in separate directions because we don’t like who you’ve become.” Suddenly, things don’t feel very regal, and we can question how God is blessing us—or whether He’s blessing us at all. In the Old Testament, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers because he is favored by God. Then, when he remains obedient to God’s will and refuses to have an affair with his master’s wife, he’s thrown into prison. When he helps other prisoners by interpreting their dreams, he’s left there to rot. But one day, Pharaoh needs a dream interpreted, and Joseph is the only man of God who can do it. He is lifted up and given a share in the royal life. Only Pharaoh is greater than he is in Egypt. Esther is a key image of Mary in the Old Testament. She finds herself in a situation where her relatives and all of Israel are likely to be killed by the king. She endures trials and hardships, but eventually, she is given the chance to dress in the robes of a queen and go before the king. She speaks with wisdom, and Israel is delivered. She becomes a great and favored queen. This is God’s message of hope to us in the spiritual life and in life in general. There are many valleys. God leaves us in these valleys while He works out the best way to lift us and others up. And He is always with us, especially in our struggles. The times in our lives when we struggle are the times when He carries us. At our death, we go to an eternal kingdom where we live far better than any earthly king has ever lived. Long live the Queen of Heaven and Earth, and long live her King. Viva Cristo Rey! Alleluia! We are the kings and queens of God’s promise. We live in an eternal royal song, journeying through the deepest valleys until our thrones in heaven come into view.