Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Esther 4:14 (ESV)
“…14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
The story of Esther has all the makings of a classic fairy tale. A King takes a simple girl as queen, a nation is saved, and they live happily ever after. As usual, there’s just a little more to the story than that. As much as we long for quick tidy stories, fairy tales aren’t real life.
Our life story may not be tidy or quick for that matter, but in Christ we can rest assured the ending is perfect! We don’t live stuck in a random story once upon a time. We live a valuable lifetime and God is at work writing His story into ours.
Esther’s life story tells of courage and prayerful steps of faith. She had been chosen to replace Queen Vashti who was banished for refusing a request of the King. Esther probably lived the royal life cautiously, but would have most likely settled into daily routines of comfort, familiarity, and palace luxuries.
Then it happened. She was called to risk it all.
Esther’s cousin Mordecai informed her that all the Jewish people would soon be wiped out under evil leader Haman. King Xerxes had already authorized Haman’s selfish and power-hungry plan and she needed to act quickly. Mordecai counseled his young cousin,“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, New Living Translation). What was she to do?
How would you have responded? You and I will not likely be called to save an entire nation, but big decisions can feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders.
Faced with her big decision, Esther responds with prayer. In fact, she puts an entire prayer team together to join her for an intentional time of fasting to seek discernment from the Lord (Esther 4:15-16). Esther then walks in obedience and prayerful steps of faith. Haman’s plan Is thwarted and her people are saved. God is always at work even when situations are bigger than our understanding.
We see evidence of God’s sovereignty through the lives and brave actions of Esther and Mordecai as God protects and blesses the Jewish people. God is at work in our life too. Like Esther, God places us in situations for such a time as this. Big or small, will we be ready to respond with prayerful steps of faith? We don’t have to fear because we are not alone. God is with us, and we are strengthened even more when we let community come alongside us.
Are there people in your life who will go to battle with you in prayer? Joining a small group at church is a great way to form these praying friendships! Who would you call on to pray with you today? Encourage one another today in taking prayerful steps of faith. Today are you faced with a big decision? Seek the Lord and respond with prayerful steps of faith.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I pray your will over my life today. Lord, you are sovereign and your ways are perfect. I seek your wisdom and discernment as I seek to follow you each day. Let my life story tell of Jesus. As I am faced with decisions, Lord show me how to respond with the very next prayerful step. Lead me to someone who needs a partner in prayer, and raise up friendships in my life who will pray with me and for me too. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 130:5- I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope.