“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14.
The old testament book of Esther is one of my favorites. It has something for everyone. Romance, political intrigue, espionage, sexual and religious conflicts, and glimpses of royal lifestyles. It all begins with King Xerxes being embarrassed, in front of his friends, by the actions of his Queen, Vashti. Her behavior could not be condoned, so the search was on for her replacement. A royal decree went out to find a suitable, beautiful young virgin, one who would please the King. Esther was one of the loveliest damsels in all the kingdom, and the King chose her from all the “contestants“. He set her up with maids, eunuchs, a year of beauty treatments and special food. Talk about all-inclusive, this gig had everything!
Xerxes was not Jewish, in fact a Jewish woman would never have made the cut, but Esther had failed to tell them her nationality. What ensues is amazing. I won’t give away the details, because I want you to read them for yourselves, but suffice it to say that the Jews found themselves in a real “Kosher pickle“. Esther was the inside woman, and her cousin Mordecai, whom I have quoted here, made it clear to her that she had a God-given opportunity to help her people. But, even if she refused, God would get the job done. I strongly believe that God puts us all in situations where our actions can make a huge difference for his kingdom. Are we aware of them? How do we react? Esther trusted that God could use her effectively, do you feel the same?
The next time you feel that urging from God, remember that this could be your time at bat. Don’t shirk away from His calling, instead, let him empower you for “such a time as this!”
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