There are moments in life that stop us in our tracks—a sudden loss, an unexpected diagnosis, a change we never saw coming. But more often, it’s not one big disaster that wears us down. It’s the steady pace of ordinary life—the endless to-do lists, the quiet disappointments, and the feeling that we’re always one step behind.
In those times, it’s natural to wonder: Is God still here? Does He see what’s happening? Why does He seem so quiet—especially now, when I need Him most?
The book of Esther gently reminds us that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. Behind every detail, He is working—quietly, faithfully, and powerfully—to bring about His plan for good.
When God Seems Silent
If you read the book of Esther, you may wonder—why in the world is this in the Bible? It is the one book of the Bible that does not mention God at all. Yes, you read that right: God’s name is not mentioned once in the book of Esther. So then how does a story with no mention of God end up in the Bible, a book that’s entirely about God’s story of redemption?
We’ve seen God’s presence clearly throughout the Exile & Return study. He spoke to Daniel through visions, guided Ezra with His own hand, and flattened Ezekiel with a glimpse of His glory. We’ve seen the way that He works. We’ve seen His love for His people. We’ve seen Him—again and again.
And now we don’t see Him. Why? What is going on?
Esther’s story teaches us that in those moments where God seems most absent, God is actually actively working.
Remember His Character
I think the absence of an explicit mention of God in Esther could be exactly why Esther is in the Bible. It’s about those moments in the history of God’s story and in our story where God does not seem anywhere to be found—where God seems absent.
The reality is that God’s work is all over Esther’s story, even if His name isn’t. In chapter 2, we learn that “many young women were brought to the citadel of Susa,” but it was Esther who won the king’s favor and the queen’s crown. When a plot to kill the king was hatched, Esther’s cousin Mordecai was the one to discover it. In chapter 5, Esther could have been executed for her boldness but instead was welcomed into the king’s presence.
We may think Esther is the story of a woman who gains power and changes the story. But it’s not that. Esther’s story teaches us that in those moments where God seems most absent, God is actually actively working.
He will never stop working until His work is complete.
When you can’t see the hand of God, you shouldn’t conclude that God isn’t at work—any more than you should conclude that the sun isn’t shining because you’re in your basement and you can’t see it.
He will never stop working until His work is complete.
Trust His Faithfulness
Maybe the drama of Esther is this: How will the people of God live when God doesn’t seem near? How do you live in those moments when God doesn’t seem near?
Listen, don’t measure your faith by your excitement on Sunday morning when you’re surrounded by people with their hands raised and you’re remembering the truths of the gospel.
The quality your faith emerges in those moments where none of that exists, where you’re alone, and where it seems like the heavens are closed and the promises of God don’t include you. When it seems like God has walked away.
These are moments when you have to do what Hebrews 11:6 says: You “must believe that he [God] exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” I’m not going to give way to unbelief in my Redeemer even in moments where I do not see His hand.
The power of the message of Esther is that God is not absent even in the moments where He seems absent.
His hand is steady, guiding unseen, writing redemption into the details of our everyday lives.
When crisis hits or when life feels too heavy, and it seems God has vanished, read Esther. In the steady strain of ordinary life, read Esther. It is a book preserved by God to confront the deepest of our questions and give us hope.
The book of Esther reminds us that even when God seems silent, He is never still. His hand is steady, guiding unseen, writing redemption into the details of our everyday lives.