The Bethany Bullet-Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The book of Esther has been loved and also debated for many years. Some even doubt that it should be in the Bible, and it is true that there is no mention of the name of the Lord in its pages, but His fingerprints are all over the story.

There is no doubt that the story of Esther is a story of God and how He works in history. Esther gives us a great example of how God uses people to bring about his good and gracious will.

Esther was an insignificant Jewish girl, living in exile in a foreign land. She was elevated to the position of First Lady in the mighty Persian Empire. Her story is one of courage and service, even in the face of danger. Esther is a hero because she bloomed where she was planted. She did not try to be something she wasn’t, or do something she was incapable of doing.

There was an interesting string of events that brought Esther to her position:

• The previous Queen had been banished.
• Esther was chosen out of many to be the next queen.
• Mordecai discovers a plot to kill the King.
• The King has insomnia and remembers Mordecai.
• A decree of death is given from the evil Haman.

Some would see these events as coincidences but I see them as the fingerprints of a God who would bring about His plan of salvation. Mordecai seems to agree as he encourages Esther with these words, “Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this.”

God had a plan for Esther and in a classic reversal of fortune story we see an exile become queen, we see a “regular” at the kings gate become the kings right hand man and the man who held power in the kingdom suddenly is found facing the gallows that he himself had built.

Of course, the ultimate reversal of fortune comes in the person of Christ, who humbled himself and took the very form of a servant so that we might be exalted and have a right relationship with God once again. As Jesus took upon himself the sin of the world—our fortunes were changed. As he hung upon the cross we found favor with God. This was no coincidence. This was a well thought out plan. It was a plan that had roots at the foundation of the world.

You may be thinking, what does this have to do with me? I firmly believe that we all have been placed in the positions we find ourselves, for a reason. It is not some accident or coincidence that you live when you live and do what you do. In fact I would say that you have been placed in your current situation for such a time as this!

Esther was called to bring about salvation for her people. What purpose have you been called to?

As Paul writes in Romans: We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-7)

We all have a calling. We all have been prepared to do what God wants us to do. You may think to yourself, “What does God want to do with me?” But I am here to tell you that like Esther we all have been put in positions to use what we have been given. But at times we need the encouragement to step into that moment and do what is right. Our sinful nature tells us all the things that can go wrong in being an ambassador for Christ.

Jesus, in speaking of the signs of the end of the age says: But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life. (Luke 21:12-19)

Even in the midst of persecution, we have been called to stand up for Jesus. Esther’s service to her Lord and her courage to act in the midst of great pressure makes her a hero we can look up to today. In the spirit of Mother’s Day we look to Esther for an example of a courageous leader. In the spirit of Pentecost we look to Esther as one who serves others with a message of good news.

If you think that you are insignificant. If you think you are just a small fish in a big pond, remember the reversal of fortunes of Esther. If you think that God can’t use you, remember Esther. If you think that you could never do anything important in life, or that you are being persecuted, think of Esther. Then think of Jesus who reversed the fortunes of the world and bought us all with the price of his blood. Let me encourage you today if you will permit me to play the role of Mordecai and say “Perhaps you have been called for such a time as this!”