For Such a Time As This

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

The Book of Esther is a fitting example of how the Lord knows the future and puts people in places where they will be used for His purpose.

Mordecai had taken his orphaned cousin, Esther, into his home and raised her as his own. The Bible describes her as fair and beautiful. When the King sent out a decree for beautiful young maidens to be taken into the palace so that a new Queen could be chosen, Mordecai sent Esther. Remember customs and standards were different in those days. We could not imagine something like this for our girls today. But as we read about it now, we know the whole story, so we can see that the Lord was working out His plan.

Haman had a place of prominence in the king’s palace and expected everyone to bow down to him, which Mordecai refused to do. Haman knew that Mordecai was a Jew. His hatred for Mordecai was so strong that he devised a plan to destroy all the Jews in the country. He persuaded the king to agree with him, using the argument that it would bring in a considerable sum of money.

Esther was devastated when she heard the news but expressed her fear to Mordecai of going before the king without being invited. She had a choice to make. She pondered his question, “and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Her love for her people was stronger than her love for herself, and so she sent him this message:

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16

God had placed Esther right where He wanted her at a specific time and for a specific purpose.

Wherever the Lord has placed you and me today, we can trust that He has done it for a purpose. We each have a ministry, and be it small or great, He will reveal the details to us as we earnestly seek Him in prayer and worship. Our part is to live close to the Lord, keep our hearts open to hear His voice, and be ready to obey whatever He asks us to do.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may we be like Esther, loving you and your kingdom more than we love ourselves, and willing to be used in your service.

Devotion by Anne Johnston