Esther 4

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Esther 4:12-14,  When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai,  he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 your royal position for such a time as this?”

Now, we get to the crux of the story.  The fate of the Jewish people falls into the hands of the new Jewish queen.  But wait, the king doesn’t know she is a Jew!  Mordecai implores her to approach Xerxes and plead for the safety of her people.  But this isn’t as easy as it sounds.  One didn’t just show up in front of the king.  He was supposed to summon her and he had not done so for awhile.  If Esther approached him, she was literally taking her life into her hands.  If it pleased the king, he might allow her to approach.  If it didn’t, well then things could get messy.

But Mordecai tells Esther that just because she lives in the palace, there was no guarantee she would be spared.  Could it be that God put her into this position for just a time as this?  Could it be that God had strategically placed her there to do what was right and stand up for her people?  Could it be that sovereign God had orchestrated all the pieces?  Now, she simply had to respond with courage. 

Most of us have never been in such a dangerous and potentially deadly situation.  That’s probably a good thing!  However, many of us have found ourselves in difficult or serious situations, possibly in the workplace, at church, or even in a family crisis.  Have you ever found yourself in a position where you simply knew that God had you there for a purpose?  You were there for such a time as this.  How did you respond? 

Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, You call us to do hard things for you.  Give us courage and boldness to speak the words you want us to speak and do the things you want us to do.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.