March 11th, 2022

You Were Created for Such a Time as This

Esther 4:14 CSB

"If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.”

      After her cousin, Mordecai, had informed her that Haman had convinced King Xerxes to issue an edict to have all the Jews destroyed, Queen Esther found herself faced with a decision: Do I shrink back in fear and allow the Jews to be destroyed under my rule, or do I risk my life and use the power and influence God gave me to save them? Queen Esther knew that if she approached the king without his permission, her efforts would be punishable by death. Though she couldn't see it at the time, her cousin Mordecai knew down in his heart that God put her in the position she was in for a reason, and that God would never leave her nor forsake her. Esther had defied all odds when she became queen, having not only been an orphan, but also a Jew. Even though God's favor on her life was evident, she allowed the "what-if's" to cloud her thinking.

      Have you ever found yourself in a place and think to yourself, "how did I get here?" or, "I don't have what it takes to do this." Often times in life we tend to forget the favor God put on us leading up to our big break and shrink back in fear, doubt and regret. This is what Queen Esther did until Mordecai interjected his theory on God's goodness in her life. His reminder to her that, though she be faced with conflict, she was made for this moment. Through God's odd defying favor, she was placed in a position of authority that was created only for her. And if she chose to not use the favor God had blessed her with, there could be consequences to face. Likewise, it is crucial that we remind ourselves that, though times may be challenging, we are called to step up into the position we have been placed in and use our God given favor to further his kingdom. Because Esther chose to do the hard, but right thing, she not only saved the Jews, but was given the estate of her enemy. Haman was impaled on the same pole that he had plotted to have Mordecai killed on, and an edict was sent out stating that the Jews may defend themselves against their enemies-who they later destroyed.

Can you imagine the blessings we would see if we rose up in the positions God has us in, instead of shrinking back? How can you let God's favor shine out in your life?