Known Yet Confident¹

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Psalm 62:6

Launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 11, 1970, Apollo 13 was the seventh crewed mission and the third craft meant to land on the moon in the Apollo space program. The goal of this mission was to demonstrate precision in landing and to explore specific sites on the moon. However, the goal quickly changed from exploration to rescue when an explosion resulted from a routine stirring of oxygen tanks. With the lunar module becoming the lifeboat for the astronauts, the NASA team worked to bring the crew home alive. NASA showed teamwork and camaraderie as they recalculated and worked through replacing the oxygen that had leaked into space.

The world united in mutual concern and prayer as they watched the potential disaster unfold. While NASA used what they knew to turn from a successful mission to a rescue mission, much was out of their hands. They could only do so much and wait. The agonizing wait finally ended as contact was restored and the astronauts splashed down safely in the South Pacific Ocean. Jim Lovell, commander of Apollo 13, called the mission a “successful failure.” The mission became a success because of the saved lives.

Salvation came to Queen Esther and the Jewish people when Haman was found out and lost his life for his evil plot. What seemed a victory soon returned to tragedy with the remembrance of the edict yet to be fulfilled. You see, according to Persian law, no edict of a Persian king could be revoked. The edict written and sealed by Haman in the name of King Ahasuerus was still in effect. This known situation was out of their hands, so once again, Esther brought it before the king. Knowing she potentially faced death, Queen Esther, submitting to God’s will, came before the king in quiet confidence. Again appearing before the king without a summons, this time she was backed by God’s grace and strength that had brought her through the first time.

Sometimes God takes us through the same hardship several times to accomplish His purposes. He gives us grace each time. As David waited in quietness for God’s work to be accomplished, peace flowed over him:

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:5–8)

Esther, though troubled by the predicament of her people, knew she would rest in God’s plan. Although she might again have been laying her life on the line, in God was the safe place to be. Spending time with God renewed her faith in Him and fixed her heart on the work He had for her to do. Quiet submission and confidence took place. King Ahasuerus, holding out his scepter and sparing her life, listened to her plea. A new edict was issued. Tragedy was again turned to victory as the people were saved.

Multiple times Queen Esther was called upon to step forward in faith knowing what could take place. Through time spent with God, she knew that even if her life was lost, following God was the only option for her. She could rest in His plan for herself and her people knowing that whatever took place, God’s purpose would be accomplished.

Confidence in God’s plan for our lives always strengthens as we spend time with Him and learn more of His character. When we face difficult situations and see how God brings us through those difficulties, it lays a foundation of strength and confidence in Him to face whatever comes next. Sometimes God asks us to face hardships one after the other. He never promised life would be easy, but He did promise to be our refuge, our strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble. Because we know this to be true, we can step forward in the same quiet submission and confidence that Queen Esther did.

Knowing the situation only gives knowledge.

Knowing God gives quiet confidence and trust in Him.

¹ Susan N. Perelka, Trust in Every Moment: A Journey toward God, (Enumclaw, Washington:  Redemption Press, 2023), 55-57.