For Such a Time as This

Exodus 4:10-17; 5:1-3

Esther is my hero!  She found herself in a life and death situation that she wasn't responsible for, but everyone was looking to her to solve the problem.  Have you ever been there?  I bet most of us can nod our heads yes.  The 'natural' reaction would be to say something like, "hey, not my problem." 

But Esther had a different response.   Mordecai, her uncle who raised her as a child, persuaded her to enter the 'beauty pageant' that King Xerxes staged to choose his next queen.  He was totally won over by her beauty and chose her, not knowing she was Jewish.  Shortly after that, a wicked man, Haman, convinced the King to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom  Mordecai gets wind of this nefarious plot, and tells Esther that she has to stop it - she has to go into the King and tell him Haman must be stopped.

None of this was Esther's 'fault.'  Her uncle convinced her the enter the pageant.  Haman concocted the plan to kill the Jews.  Esther was a beautiful young woman who was obedient to her Uncle, but she certainly wasn't prepared to lead her people, was she? 

Esther lays out the problem with Mordecai's plan for her to confront the king in 4:11:

"All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned, the king as but one law:  that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives.  But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."

In plain language, Mordecai, if I ask to see the king, I have a very good chance of being killed.  On the spot.  Is this a good plan?  Is this all you have?   (my words, but no doubt ones that crossed Esther's mind.)

Mordecai says to her, in verse 14: "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and our father's family will perish.  And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

You know the rest of the story - if not, run and read chapters 4 and 5 - it's a great read!

So what has God prepared for you?  For such a time as this?  His plans will be accomplished.  Will he use you?  Are you ready, as Esther was, to listen to Him?  As you study his word, and pray, and seek godly counsel, be open to his plans.  Stand ready to say that you will be used 'for such a time as this." 

Lord, Esther obeyed you, and faced danger and death for your sake and for her people.  Help me to be ready for you to use me, for such a time as this.  Your purposes will be accomplished, and you will be glorified.  Amen.