For Such a Time!

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this!” Esther 4:14 NKJV

As we arise into all God has called us to, I am encouraged and challenged in this particular passage of scripture about a young woman God prepared and positioned to influence her generation, Esther. Her people were to be destroyed by Haman, and Mordecai’s words of authority awaken her to her need to overcome her fear and embrace the possibility of a greater purpose. He challenges her to arise from her assimilation of culture and reminds her of her true identity to face an enemy full on.

Mordecai’s confidence in God to bring relief and deliverance was sure. God would use someone else to save His people, “but you and your father’s house will perish—your legacy will be lost,” yet how great it would be for God to use you, Esther!

Through the first few chapters, Esther depends on Mordecai and Hegai for council, and a stirring takes place within her to rise up in her dependence on God, and she calls a fast for three days. Her prayer was for His thoughts to be her thoughts. She risks everything; her status, wealth, honour, and her own life—courage does not deny fear; it denies fear’s authority over our life. She is filled with God’s heart for His people and emboldened with righteous indignation to risk death to see them through to their deliverance. Her confidence and humility were in Yahweh; the One who brought them out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, the One who divided the Red Sea and made Israel pass through the midst of it, and overthrew Pharaoh and his army, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.

On the third day, she put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace; she stood in her royal position of who she is; she stood confidently in who God is! Glory! Esther not only helped save her people but led the charge in breaking the generational curse of Saul’s rebellion and sin (1 Samuel 15:22–23); she could have never imagined the impact of her obedience not just for that moment but for generations when God turned their sorrow into joy.

God created you for a divine purpose, a unique role to fulfill. You are here for such a time as this (Jeremiah 1:5). For Esther, it was her nation. It could be that from your obedience, humility and confidence in who God is and by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, God would use you to lead a charge of breakthrough to occupy challenged areas of our lives, in our families, in our cities, for His Kingdom and Glory. It could be that God will bring relief and deliverance through you.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, we arise and not remain silent at this time. We want to be part of what You are doing now on the earth. Use us for the Glory of Your Name. We will be people who cry out until the knowledge of Your glory fills the earth as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).