"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)
My Bible study group has delved into Beth Moore's study of the book of Esther. It is a brief but fascinating book of the Old Testament that lacks any mention of God, yet the work of God is clearly discerned within its verses. The above verse refers to the moment of truth that Esther faced as both a "closet Jew" and the queen of Persia - conflicting characteristics. An edict had just been decreed that all the Jews were to be put to death. Would Esther expose herself as a Jew, risking her own death, in the hopes that her connection to the king would save her people?
Have you faced a moment of truth in your life? Have you faced a decision that was incredibly difficult? Were the consequences of that decision monumental? Perhaps you didn't realize the significance of the decision until it was already made? When you look back on that time, can you discern a glimpse of God's plan for your life and for His kingdom?
The above verse was delivered to Queen Esther by her cousin Mordecai, who had raised her. Like so many of the most influential figures in the history of God's great plan, Esther was a most unlikely person to save the Jews from slaughter. She was a woman, an orphan, and a Jew living in a godless society, wedded to king who had banished his previous wife for refusing to be paraded in front of his drunken friends. Of all people, how could someone like Esther possibly change the course of history? And yet, at that moment, who else was better positioned to do just that?
Mordecai reminds us that God has a plan that will be realized whether or not we choose to participate. Sometimes, God places us in the position to directly carry out a part of His plan. If we are reluctant to follow, He will see that it is accomplished without us. But if we choose to follow, we will realize with stunning clarity the power, wisdom and benevolence of the living God. Even if the decision to accept our calling in such a moment costs us something, the reward is far greater than what we may have lost in the process.
God placed you where you are, as you are, right here and now on His created earth for a reason. Whatever decisions we face, no matter how large or small, are not by accident. We were created for "such a time as this," like an orphaned queen in ancient Persia, or an ordinary young virgin who would bear the Son of God. The question is...will we choose to follow God's lead?
What did Esther choose? Check it out for yourself. God's riches are far better articulated in His Word than in a blog post!
