If I die, I die

Be willing to take the Crown off...

Book of Esther 4:16. Queen Esther said this (with much to lose).

These weren't the words of a person with nothing left to lose. These are the words of someone who had recently gained much status and power and yet when challenged and asked, was still willing to open her hand and let it all go, including her very life. She counted the cost.

the Hebrew is:

וְכַאֲשֶׁר אָבַדְתִּי אָבָדְתִּיve-ka'asher avadti avadti

Literally:

"And if I am lost, I am lost."or"If I perish, I perish."

The key Hebrew word is:

אָבַד (ʾābad)

Pronounced: ah-VAD

Meaning:

• to perish,

• to be destroyed,

• to be lost,

• to vanish,

• to be ruined,

• to be cut off.

This is a rich Hebrew word. It does not always mean physical death. Depending on the context, it can mean:

• dying,

• being destroyed,

• being ruined,

• being lost forever,

• coming to nothing.

It's easy to imagine you might be willing to, too, unless you're asked, until the possibility of death whether quick or slow is upon you and likely no Christian around you would agree that this could possibly be God's will or plan.

How many people around Esther, had the known her decision would have called her stupid, foolish, emotional?

If the enemy can't control and manipulate you with

family

romance

money

status and success

health

security

your life

You are free.

Self-preservation will kill your soul/spirit.

Esther's mindset was:

• I will do what is right.

• I will fulfill my calling.

• I will trust God with the outcome.

• If obedience costs me everything, so be it.

And we are reminded by Jesus: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 16:24-25:

When Esther repeats "avadti, avadti" literally "I have perished, I have perished", "I am lost, I am lost". This grammatic repetition is a Hebrew way of emphasizing certainty and finality.

It is a statement of complete surrender:

Not panic.

Not despair.

Not resignation.

Rather, a calm acceptance that obedience may carry a cost.

That is why many commentators see Esther's words as one of the strongest biblical examples of courageous surrender: she does not seek death, but she refuses to let the possibility of perishing determine her course of action.

The common thread is not a desire to die. It is a refusal to let the fear of death, loss, rejection, or suffering become the controlling factor in one's decisions.

"If I die, I die" is one of the clearest Old Testament examples of what Jesus later describes as carrying one's cross: surrendering the right to make self-preservation a value.

As a warrior of the Kingdom, the enemy will taunt you with and torment you with that which you will not let go.

Don't give him anything to use.

John 14:30 Jesus says:

"the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."

The Greek:

ἐν ἐμοὶ οὐκ ἔχει οὐδένen emoi ouk echei ouden

Literally:

""He has no claim on Me.""He has no hold on Me."

The idea is not that Satan has no interest in Jesus. Rather, it means:

• Satan has no foothold in Him.

• Satan has no sin in Him to exploit.

• Satan has no legal claim against Him.

• Satan has no agreement, compromise, or allegiance within Him.

• Satan can attack Him externally, but finds nothing inside Jesus that belongs to him.

Paul uses similar language in Epistle to the Ephesians 4:27:

"Neither give place to the devil."

Surrender EVERY area where the enemy finds a foothold.

Cast your crown down at his feet.