Devotional Thought

Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself, the God and Savior of Israel.

-Isaiah 45:15 (NIV)

The Book of Esther is unlike any other in the Bible – there’s no mention of God’s name. And yet, page after page, God is there—moving beneath the surface.

This first part of Esther shows us a chaotic world: kings obsessed with power, women exploited, political plots unfolding. And yet, every decision, "coincidence," and conversation is part of a larger story God is writing. We’re reminded that God is not only at work in the obvious but also present in the hidden.

Maybe you’re in a season where God feels silent. Or you’re surrounded by brokenness that doesn’t seem to fit any redemptive purpose. Esther’s story tells you the truth: God’s silence is not His absence. His hiddenness is not His abandonment.

He is already working behind the scenes, even when you can’t see Him. Your job is not to see the whole plan—it’s to stay faithful in the moment you’re in.

Group Reflection Questions

1. When have you looked back and seen God’s hand in what felt like ordinary or difficult circumstances?

2. Esther is full of “coincidences” that turn out to be key turning points. Have you ever experienced a moment that felt random at the time but turned out to be significant?

3. Which character do you most identify with at this point in the story—Esther, Mordecai, or someone else—and why?

4. How do you personally navigate times when God feels silent or hidden?

5. How can asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer shape your approach to uncertainty or crisis?

6. The sermon connected Haman’s rise to Saul’s disobedience generations earlier. What does this teach us about the long reach of sin—and of God’s redemption?

7. What helps you remain faithful in the small, everyday decisions of life?

8. How does the idea of a “hidden God” give you hope in seasons of doubt or delay?

Action Step

Set aside 10 minutes to pray or reflect in complete silence. Ask God to help you notice where He may be working in unseen ways. Journal anything that comes to mind.