Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart to see You--here in my heart right now and with me throughout every moment of my day (Ephesians 1:18), for You are with me always (Matthew 28:20). ...
“Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this” (Esther 4:13-14).
The Book of Esther contains the story of Esther, Queen of Persia, a hidden Jew who exposed the plot of a governmental leader named Haman to destroy the Jewish people through an evil attack of genocide.
The verses above from the story is where Mordecai, Esther’s adopted father, tells her of Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews, and speaks these famous words.
Esther replied with courage and commitment to speak up for her people, to go before the king in his inner court of governmental authority, even though she had not been summoned as was required under penalty of death under the law of the land, saying:
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
As the Biblical story unfolds, she did not perish but rather prevailed. Wicked Haman’s plot was exposed and turned against him. He was hung on the very gallows he had built to hang Mordecai (Esther 7:10). The very place of governmental authority that Haman held was given over to Mordecai (Esther 8:2). And the very day Haman had planned to destroy the Jews on a national day of genocide was turned into a day of great victory and redemption for the Jewish people in that land (Esther 9:1).
What a story--a story of true events of how God turned the tables on the devil, how good triumphs over evil when courageous people bow in prayer and then speak up in faith, and how You take what was intended for evil and use it for good (Genesis 50:20). “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
That’s what Jesus did at the cross. What Satan intended for evil, God used for good and for His eternal plan of redemption to the turn the tables on the devil and his plot of destruction. “None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).
And that’s what You do Jesus in us and in every heart that will turn to You in faith. With Your faith in our heart, You move us with humility to bow in prayer and You move us with courage to speak up in faith for what is right and true. We get to see the promise and truth of Your Word come to pass again and again:
“Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
“For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” (Ephesians 2:10). We remember who is in us and remember our identity, we begin to realize and embrace our identity and our calling in our day, just like Esther did, that we were chosen and created by our God to be here in our world at this time “for just such as time as this” (Esther 4:14). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray may you be moved in humility in prayer and in courage to stand up and speak up in faith for what is right and true, knowing you are in this world for just such a time as this, which includes this weekend, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog in the comment box below.
In July I will step out of pastoring Toney UMC and pour completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods. Please pray over this season in my life and that of my family. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.