For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14 KJV
All over the world there are memorials that honor people who risked their lives to save someone else.
Ones that were in the right place at the right time and stepped in to assist.
They knew they were called to do it, they stepped out in faith, and set out to accomplish their goal.
For many, there is a strong desire to learn more about that person and the situations they faced.
How in the end, a change in society and the way things were being done were changed or at least being looked at.
In the Bible there are many who stood up for their people and risked it all to make changes that were good for the people.
Esther is an example of one who took on such a risk.
In this book, we read about her bravery to save the Jewish people, her people, in a time when one of the king’s followers wanted to have them killed.
It all started when Esther, who was an orphan raised by her older cousin Mordecai heard that King Xerxes was hosting a royal beauty pageant to find a new queen.
She was chosen and became the Queen of the Persian Empire.
Her cousin Mordecai became a minor official in the Persian government of Susa.
Not long after being placed in these positions, Mordecai heard about a plot to kill the king.
He, of course, told Esther about it and she reported it to the king.
Letting him know that it was Mordecai who had given her the warning.
The plot was unsuccessful.
Mordecai’s act of kindness was written in the chronicles of the king.
It didn’t stop there.
One of the king’s highest officials was a wicked man.
His name was Hamon.
He had a hatred for the Jews, especially Mordecai, because he refused to bow down to him.
Another scheme was about to unfold.
Hamon went before the king and talked him into having every Jew in Persia killed.
A date was set to have it done.
Well, Mordecai heard about the plot and, once again, shared the information with Esther.
He told her that she had to do something about it.
He told her: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14, NIV).
He was telling her that God had made her Queen for such at time as this.
A time to save the Jewish people.
She took to heart what her cousin was telling her.
Esther told all the Jews to fast and pray for their deliverance.
She then, bravely, approached King Xerxes.
She invited him and Hamon to attend a banquet.
It was at this banquet where she revealed her Jewish heritage to the king.
She went on to tell him about the plot that Hamon was forming to have her, and her people killed.
A powerful feeling of anger struck the king.
An anger that made him command that Hamon be hung on the very same gallows that he had built to kill Mordecai on.
The king acknowledged what Mordecai had done, once again.
Because of his acts of bravery, and a desire to save his fellow Jews, Mordecai was promoted to Haman’s high position.
An official order was issued.
King Xerxes granted the Jews protection throughout the land.
God’s command was put into place.
The people heard and celebrated God’s blessings of deliverance.
We may never be asked to make the type of decisions Esther made.
But we will be faced with the opportunity to speak out about an injustice.
There will be times that God does not want us to remain silent.
We must get out of our comfort zones and make our voices heard.
When we have our moments when we feel like we can’t do it, there are two things we should remember:
God is Sovereign.
His hand is at work in our lives every day.
Leading and guiding us every step of the way.
Just like He used the circumstances in Esther’s life, He uses the decisions and actions we make to accomplish His divine plans and purposes.
We can trust in His care over every area of or lives.
And that God is a God of Deliverance.
He is there by our sides, to bring us out of it all.
He raised up Esther just like He did, Moses, Joshua, Joseph, and many others He used to deliver His people from bondage and the things that would destroy their lives.
Because of all the Lord has done for us, we are delivered from death and hell.
He is more than able to save us from any and everything that comes our way.
The work of the Lord must continue.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we may never be asked to make the type of decisions Esther made. We will be faced with the opportunity to speak out about the things You have placed in our hearts to defend. To help assist someone in their time of need. There will be times when we are scared and think we can’t do what You are asking. Those are the times we must pray and seek Your guidance. Grant us the courage to follow Your guidance and know when to or not to act. How to accomplish that which is set before us. Your help and timing are always perfect. Thank You for being there for us.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen