Esther 4

“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, ESV)

The days of our lives are no accident. When we belong to the Lord, then our steps are ordered by the Lord. But most of the time we don’t see our place in God’s greater plan. We begin a day not knowing what will happen or how it will end. We do our best to follow the Lord and be a man or woman of integrity. But all the while God is moving behind the scenes arranging people and circumstances like pieces on a chessboard to accomplish His will. It is marvelous to consider that God actually uses us to fulfill a role much greater than ourselves.

Esther found herself in a most unusual position. As a child growing up under her older cousin’s watchful eye, she could have never guessed that she would become the queen of Persia. As a Jewess, she was a minority in a vast and powerful kingdom. But when she was taken from her home and made part of King Xerxes’ harem, everything changed. Now she had been made queen, but what did this mean? What role was she to play?

Evidently, Esther was sheltered from the decree her husband signed to exterminate all the Jews. She had kept her nationality hidden from him. It wasn’t until Mordecai tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a bitter wail, that Esther discovered something was dreadfully wrong. She sent her servant to Mordecai to find out why he was so distressed, and he told the servant everything, including how much Haman paid into the royal treasury to destroy the Jews. He also told him to tell Esther to go to the king to beg for mercy and plead for her people.

Esther replied saying that anyone who appeared before the king without being invited would be doomed to die unless he held out his gold scepter. And it had been 30 days since the king had called for her. But Mordecai replied:

“Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13–14, NLT)

Esther then agreed to approach the king on the condition that Mordecai would gather other Jews and not eat or drink for three days. She and her maids would do the same. Then whatever happened, she would resign herself to her fate.

You are also here for such a time as this. God has given you gifts, experiences and opportunities for a purpose. You may not understand right now what that is. But if you will trust in the Lord with all your heart and daily surrender to His will, then He will direct your path and reveal His purpose in His time. Are you willing to take His hand?