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“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?’ Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, gather all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants also will fast in the same way. And then I will go in to the king, which is not in accordance with the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him” (Esther 4:13-17).
Yesterday afternoon we attended the dramatic presentation on Esther at the Sight and Sound Theater here in Lancaster County. We were again blessed to be reminded of God’s care for His people through the ages. The story has two main character Esther and Mordecai, who we wrote about yesterday.
Esther (her Hebrew name was Hadassah) is a young Hebrew woman who is described as “beautiful of form and face” (2:7). When her father and her mother died Mordecai took her as his own daughter and raised her.
She was chosen to be the queen and providentially found herself in a position to save her people.
Many years ago I heard a message about what the speaker called “Esther moments”. These are the special times when God’s purpose for our life is especially apparent albeit in unexpected ways. This concept is based on the daily text when Mordecai encouraged Esther to take a stand. The Jews faced annihilation (as they so often have throughout history) and Esther was in a position to act for their preservation by appealing to the king.
Mordecai was confident that, in one way or another, the deliverance of the Jews would come. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place“. Amazingly in the bigger picture God’s grand purposes are always fulfilled with or without our cooperation. God has spoken, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:10).
However Mordecai challenged Esther to be the agent of God’s deliverance as expressed in the daily text, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Scripture records that Esther did listen to Mordecai and heeded his challenge to present herself to the king, even if it meant death, “
if I perish, I perish“.
Well, as most of you know, God did use her to facilitate a great deliverance!
Through the outstanding example of Esther, who took a consecrated stand, God has a message to all who truly follow Him; we are not to be people of fear when we find ourselves in a place where we would rather not be, but we are to obey Him and persevere, even if it means death.
Today all over the world God is working through His people, accomplishing His purpose. Some had a decision in regard to where they are, but others find themselves in a hard place they had no choice in. We especially consider those who are tortured, imprisoned, or separated from their families because of their stand for Christ.
At times like this may we especially sense His work through us in a specific way. What a great joy these experiences bring to our spiritual walk. May the Lord grant all of us these “Esther moments” when “for such a time as this” we faithfully serve Him wherever we are placed by God’s providence. Often we may not immediately sense the significance of our obedience but obedience always brings blessing. Let us stay faithful!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber