Esther. The fear and anxiety must have crowded in on her in those anxious moments, suffocating and terrifying. The king had summoned her! She was a woman, a slave with no rights and little value, belonging to a conquered people, a disgraced nation. To disobey meant death. To obey meant…who knew? Uncertainty. Fear. What should she do? Who could help her? Why her? She felt so very alone, so very out of control.
And then her uncle, Mordecai. He had always been a calm voice of reason, wisdom, and comfort. In tears and in fear she pours out her heart to him. His words, though few, hold a strange sense of comfort, hope, and embolden her to this unknown and fear-filled request of the king. Mordecai simply states, “Esther, maybe you were born for such a time as this!”
Think for a second about the depth of Theology and the rich truths contained in those few words. “You were born for such a time as this!” There are three immediate observations I make that are hidden in this brief statement:
Maybe this is a word in season for the church, for you. We find ourselves in strange times. The world seems more opposed to the ways of God than ever. It is becoming harder to be a follower of Jesus and harder yet to live out our faith according to the Bible. For some these are fearful times and the future is a big unknown full of uncertainty! It may feel like life is out of control.
But have you ever considered that like Esther, maybe you were born for a time such as this?
You are not caught up in the events of history swept away by circumstances beyond your control. Instead there is someone bigger than you at work with a perfect plan and in perfect control of all things. He holds everything, even history, in His mighty hands, never caught by surprise by events or circumstances we find ourselves in. He has placed you and called you for a time such as this, not to live in fear but to embrace these times with hope, faith, and courage.
Ephesians 1:11 reminds us, “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” 1Corinthians 2:7 goes on to state our role in His Sovereign plan, “…we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began”. As a friend of mine once said, “You are His prehistoric priority!”
Friend, this is our greatest hour with the opportunity for the church to shine like never before! So maybe you too need your faith strengthened, and your hope reignited.
