Esther
Check out Esther’s full story in the Book of Esther
He (Mordecai) sent back this answer: “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 was a beautiful, young Israelite girl whose ancestors were forced to leave Jerusalem when The King of Persia conquered their land. Her parents died when she was young and so she was raised by her cousin in a foreign land. My guess is that Esther planned to live a quiet life, not making waves in a land that was not her own. But God had something different in store for her. Esther’s life was about to be turned upside down.
Esther was taken to the palace of the king as a candidate for a new queen, but she kept her nationality a secret. She found favor with the palace attendants and then with the king himself. He was so taken with her that he made her his queen. But it wouldn’t be easy living from there on out. The plots of a selfish and arrogant man would trick the king and put Esther and all her people in danger.
Today’s verses are the words of Esther’s wise cousin, imploring her to make a bold and dangerous move to save her people. He proposes the idea that it is possible that God has placed her right where she is, as queen, for this very moment. Esther calls on her people to pray with her and then she courageously approaches the king on their behalf. The king is outraged and sets in motion events to save and avenge the queen and her people for the harm meant for them.
Esther was indeed placed by God in that palace to help bring justice and redemption for the nation of Israel. As you think about the story today, are you drawn to something or a situation in your life that perhaps feels overwhelming, but there is a little glimmer that God has placed you right where you are for a reason? How might God be calling you to act? How is God asking you to step out in faith right now so that His power and His love can be displayed in your life? How is God writing your underdog story?
For Such a Time as This (Esther’s Song) | Marty Goetz & Misha Official Live Music Video
