For Such a Time as This

By Allen White

[Mordecai] 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?”

Esther 4:13-14

Esther might have thought the palace walls would protect her from the plight of her people. She found herself between the proverbial rock and a hard place. If Esther approached Xerxes uninvited, then she would die. If Esther said nothing, then she would die right alongside her people.

Mordecai makes an interesting point here. He tells Esther that she is in the right position to do God’s will, but if she chooses not to, then their deliverance will come in another way. Mordecai had a firm belief in God’s promises to the Jewish people. He knew that their deliverance was assured once again. The question was whether Esther would be a heroine or a casualty.

Mordecai wasn’t being cruel to Esther. He regarded her as his own daughter (Esther 2:7). It might have been easy for him to say, “You know, Esther has been through a lot. She was kidnapped by the king’s people and forced into a relationship with the king. Hasn’t the poor girl been through enough? Why cause her any more trouble by involving her in this? She will probably survive this as the queen. Why worry her with these things?” But, this was a passive course that Mordecai wasn’t intended to take.

Esther was in the position to do something about the nation’s fate. On one side of the balance was her personal safety, and on the other side was the future of her people. Mordecai’s words tipped the balance. Acting on a God-prompting Mordecai’s concern for Esther wasn’t avoiding trouble with the king. His concern was that when God rescued His people would Esther be among them?

In the providence of God, Esther was positioned to intervene. She was called for such a time as this.

You and I are also called for such a time as this. Have you identified your calling? Are you sensitive to God’s promptings in your life? Are you in touch with what God has gifted you to do?

You are not here by accident. The work that you do, in the marketplace and at home, was determined long ago. Your neighbors, your kids, your in-laws, your boss, your co-workers – they are all part of God’s plan. Why has God put you in their lives? What does He want to accomplish through you? Are you available?

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