“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the 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
Do you know the story of Esther, Queen of Persia and favorite of King Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, about 500 years before the birth of Christ. And Esther facilitated the salvation of her people, the Jews. Check out the book of Esther in the Old Testament – it’s incredible!
Esther is my hero. Not because she had wealth. Not because she was lovely – records say she was more beautiful than all the women in the king’s harem. Not because she had influence, nor even power to effect change. Each of these things can be wonderful, can be used as a tool for the furthering of God’s kingdom when surrendered to Him. And should the Lord choose to gift me with any of them, I wouldn’t refuse. 🙂
But Esther is my hero for a very different reason. Esther was humble and obedient and wise, and she committed her whole heart and life and purpose to doing what she believed God wanted from her. Doing what she believed God wanted was neither safe, nor easy. She could have chosen to not. According to scripture, God would have provided another way. His deliverance did not depend on Esther. But God loves involving His kids in His work. So Esther was offered a significant role in God’s plan. She chose to play that role.
As I read the story of Esther again I am reminded that she was young. Her wisdom did not come from experience. We don’t know what she had seen God do in and around her. What we do know is that someone had instilled in Esther an understanding that God does move on behalf of His people when they obey. So Esther asked her people to fast and pray with and for her and then committed to do what God asked, whether she lived or died. That is conviction and that is love – for God and for her people. And God honored her choice.
Esther is my hero because Esther was available to God – for whatever, wherever and whenever He chose. I want to be like Esther. I want to be in the place God wants me, when He wants me, and for whatever purpose He calls me. I want to be His for “such a time as this”!
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