Haman, the enemy of the Jews, put a contract on the head's of God's people. His plan - to exterminate them all. And His primary target...Mordecai. Queen Esther's uncle.
Mordecai pleads of the Queen, Do not think to yourself that in the King's palace you will escape anymore than all the other Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14
Up to this point, I assume Esther was unclear why she, an unassuming, simple, virgin, Jewish girl, was chosen to as the Queen of Persia. But now, upon hearing the news if Haman's plot, she knows. God's providence has placed her perfectly as Queen. Giving her a voice and platform to save her people.
Mordecai has faith that God will ultimately save the Jews. But it is also very clear to him that Esther has a role to play. How will she respond?
Who knows, is she there for such a time as this?
Absolutely.
What if we viewed life through Esther's lens?
Simple and unassuming people, providentially placed right where we are.
Becky, look around you...Look at your home, your neighborhood, your city, your social network, your Facebook friends, the people you see everyday.
Who know, am I here for such a time as this?
Absolutely.
But here's the catch.
The people I encounter in my world, Haman does not have a contract on their head.
No, it is much worse.
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10
ONLY.
Our enemy makes Haman look like a pretty nice guy. He is much more ruthless than Haman could dream.
And his chief end? To destroy.
Kill (thyō): 1) to sacrifice, immolate. 2) to slay, kill. 3) slaughter
There are people around us who need you to go to the King on their behalf. Plead for their lives. There are people who you will see TODAY that need to be saved from death.
...for the eternal-forever-kind-of-death.
But there you are, Esther. Providentially placed in their day. In their office building. As their friend on Facebook. On the elliptical to their right. You see them in class. Parked in front of them at carpool....Who knows, for such a time as this? To tell them about Jesus? To share your faith?
We could be a part of the picture. As a part of their salvation story.
This may not be the kind of thought we want to ponder first thing in the morning, coffee in hand. But let it be known...people around you have contracts on their heads....
...for the eternal-forever-kind-of-death.
But there you are, Esther. Providentially placed in their day. In their office building. As their friend on Facebook. On the elliptical to their right. You see them in class. Parked in front of them at carpool....Who knows, for such a time as this? To tell them about Jesus? To share your faith?
We could be a part of the picture. As a part of their salvation story.
What do we have to lose? Nothing.
What do they have to lose?
Everything.
Today, let us respond...Yes. Send me. I'll tell them. I will be their Esther, standing before the King on their behalf. I will plead their case. I will go, Lord...
And not be afraid.
As you reflect on your Divine, providential place, who comes to mind today? How will you respond?
I have a neighbor who I have recently started praying for specifically. She is the one who comes to my mind. They do not go to church and God has given me a couple of opportunities to minister to her and her children. I pray for them to come to know the Lord in a real and personal way. God has shown me many times how he has strategically put me in this neighborhood for such a time as this.
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