#67 "Yes, I'm Talking About That Movie Again!"

October 10, 2006
"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4: 14)

Yes, I'm talking about that movie again! "One Night With The King". As I write this, there are 3 days, 12 hours, 45 minutes and 20 seconds until it opens in the theaters. Okay, so I'm not that neurotic. There's a countdown on the web site. But I am excited beyond belief. I think this movie is the greatest thing that's happened since, since, well I don't even know since what! If you have never heard about it, let me share the story with you.
"This is an epic motion picture set in a world of adventure, intrigue and romance. One Night With the King follows a young girl who rises from peasant to princess by going against the culture and seeking the King's heart rather than the riches of the kingdom.

By 'chance' she is born with exceeding beauty to a people who have been carried away as slaves to the most powerful kingdom in the world. By 'chance' her parents are killed while she is young leaving her to be taken in by her uncle, a man who has found favor as a royal scribe. By 'chance' the Queen is executed by the unknowing King, spurned on by the ruthless plotting of palace princes hungry for power. By 'chance' the King is left feeling alone, pushed and prodded, desperate to live up to and avenge the battles of his father. By 'chance' Esther is carted off to the palace to become part of the King's harem at the same time a vengeful young prime minister with the King's ear is rising to prominence with a plan for orchestrating the genocide of her people.

So begins the story of Esther, One Night With the King, a story that reveals that all of life is under God's command. Power, position and prominence are one thing, but when Esther must choose between all she's ever dreamed of and the fate of her people, will she be able to find the courage to step forward and embrace her destiny?" (One Night With The King Web Site)

If you have never read the book of Esther in the Bible, read it. It's a short 10 chapter book tucked away between Nehemiah and Job. If you've read it before, read it again. The story is amazing and it is true! These were real people, a real orphan and a real King...Xerxes, the King of Persia. The events spanned over a decade in the years between 483 and 473 BC. During the Persian period, many Jews returned to Palestine to rebuild the temple and set up the sacrificial system again. Most Israelite captives chose not to return. Esther and Mordecai were two of those who did not return. The events are the origin of the Jewish Feast of Purim, which is a celebration of God's miraculous deliverance of His people from Haman, a madman who sought the total annihilation of the Jewish people for power and profit. A very early case of anti-Semitism.

I have followed the making of this movie for the last year and a half. It has been an amazing journey. Ups and downs. Pitfalls and triumphs. It was actually supposed to be released a long time ago but because of different circumstances, God-ordained we now know, the time is now. In the same region of the world, we have a modern day madman, a modern day Haman, the President of Iran, putting out a call to wipe the Jewish people off of the map. How much more timely could this movie be?

We can be encouraged along with our Jewish brothers and sisters that God cares for His chosen people. He protects them and always works on their behalf. The Persian name, Esther means "star" Amidst the darkness of genocide comes this rising "star", this peasant girl with a call and a destiny on her life, who saves a nation from total destruction. Who would have thought?

It is the same for you. Whether you are rich or poor, black or white, orphaned or in a family...God has a call on your life. A great destiny for you to fulfill, right where you are. You don't have to be in a palace. You don't have to save Israel from it's enemies. You are Esther in your home, at your work, at your child's school and in your community of influence. You may think you're not great enough, not powerful enough. Whatever! God used Esther..an orphan in exile in a foreign land, a Jew in a world where they were hated. Esther was a nobody who had a willing heart to say yes! If God could do it for Esther, He can do it for you!

Can I go deeper? You are Esther and Christ is the King. Esther never sought the palace or the gifts that she would receive. She sought only the King's heart. Are you seeking what Christ can do for you and His blessings, or are you seeking after His heart? Are you loving Him solely for Who He is? Esther worked long and hard and won the favor of the King by running hard after Him and nothing else. She fell in love with the King. I don't know about you, but I am SO in love with Jesus. Fall in love with the King....there's nothing like it.

Shot in India, the scenery in this film is outstanding, the quality is superb. It truly is a film of epic proportions. Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif....and newcomer, Tiffany DuPont...She is Esther. She has never played another role, so we are not jaded by any past performances. This is a film for all people. Jews, Christians, non-believers. Young and old alike. Romance for the gals and war and intrigue for the guys. Go with your friends. Go with your church. Grab your husband or wife and have a date night. Take your kids, so that they can see that God has a destiny for their lives. I truly believe that your life will be changed.

So that's my advertisement. I hope it has inspired you to find a theater this weekend and see "One Night With The King". Check out the web site. View the trailer. I guarantee you that you will never be the same. Interviews with those who attended the screenings, well, amazing. They all said that the anointing of the Holy Spirit was so strong in these theaters. Let's also go out and support a quality Christian film. We do enough complaining about Hollywood. Let's do something positive and show Hollywood what we like and what we want to see on the big screen. Opening weekend is the most important time to see a film. Those are the ticket sales that they watch.

Remember, God has a great plan and purpose for your life. You can be an Esther. Remember that if God could do it for Esther, He can do it for you. Whoever you are. Wherever you are. Who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?

I'll be the one in the seat with the big box of tissues,

Donna Schultz
Savemom@aol.com

~ One Night with the King ~ The Story of Esther ~


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