Such a time as this

Esther 4:14

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?

The time of Esther was a time of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety among the people of God. For this is during the time of the Diaspora, wherein the Jews had been scattered to many nations. This narrative of Esther takes place in Shushan the palace, under the reign of King Ahasuerus. Esther had been taken into the opulent house of the king after he chose her to reign as queen in the stead of Vashti. Mordecai is Esther’s uncle, and he sits in the gate of the king. Haman is a man that the king chooses to honor within his kingdom, requiring everyone to bow before him. Mordecai, however, because of his people, his principles, and his God, would not bow to Haman, but would only bow to his God. This angered Haman, and Haman not only seeks to destroy Mordecai, but desires with the king’s permission to eradicate all Jews from the kingdom of the Medes and Persians. The king, not knowing the lineage or kindred of Mordecai, seals the order with his own ring to kill all Jews within the kingdom at Haman’s request. Mordecai is devastated at this terrible news, and immediately sends a message to Esther to go in to the king and request to him on behalf of her people, who were slated to be destroyed.

Now, we must place ourselves into the clothing and into the shoes of poor Esther. Because, you see, Esther was not allowed according to the law to enter into the throne room of the king for any reason without being called. She could be killed if he did not extend his golden scepter to her. But she was the only possible means of redemption for her people. For she was the queen! If any one could enter and not die, it would be the beautiful queen Esther that the king had chosen for his queen five years earlier. But this assignment does not come without apprehension and angst. For she could die! She could fail in saving her people! But when she articulated these things to Mordecai, he asked her who could know whether she had come to the kingdom “for such a time as this?” No doubt, if she did nothing, God would bring deliverance from another place. He would not cast away his people which He foreknew. But then Esther and her family would be destroyed. Much immediate death would take place, if she did nothing! Who knows what would happen if she did nothing! But who knows what would happen if she did something!

And, my beloved, we find ourselves in this same scenario often. For it is a fearful thing to do anything. For it could go good or bad! It could fail or succeed! It could turn upon us! It could not accomplish the purpose for which we intended it. But what if we do something instead of nothing? Who knows? Who can tell? Why not try? Could it not be that God hath ordained it that you would be where you are at this time for such a time as this? Perhaps you are the one! Perhaps no one else could do what God has called you to do! Such a time as this! You are here now, not yesterday, not tomorrow, not in the distant future. The responsibility does not lie on the shoulders of anyone but you. If you don’t, no one will! Great things could happen to destroy all that is good if you do nothing. But imagine if you did something! We must stop doing nothing, and start doing something! Because who can tell? Who knoweth? You may have come to this place and this time for “such a time as this!”

May the Lord give us discernment this day. For no opportunity must be wasted that God has placed before us. You are the person for it. No one else is prepared for this assignment. You are. And you must not miss it. Go in the strength of the Lord! For He will be with you. Be strong and of a good courage! He is with you whithersoever you go. If we perish, it is better to perish in the Lord’s will, fulfilling His commandments, than it is to perish without doing anything. God will be with you, for He has chosen and called you for such a time as this.

“Father, we thank you for the assignments you give each of us, to accomplish and fulfill your marvelous will. We thank you for what you can do through us this day and every day. Help us never to miss the job given to us because of fear and trepidation. Help us to go forward with you and through you. As you have called us, enable us to answer the call with confidence in your aiding presence. At such a time as this, help us not to falter, but to be used of the Lord, as Esther was in the great day of her time. You have given us a great day to live. Use us greatly this day, we pray. In Christ Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”