The Old Testament book of Esther is a curious book in that the name of God is never mentioned in it! In case you're not familiar with the story, here's an outline. The Persian king rids himself of his queen and sets out to choose another wife. A Jewish girl living in that pagan culture is selected as the new queen. A little while later, a plot hatched by Haman, one of the court's noblemen, to rid the kingdom of the Jews is discovered. Mordecai, Esther's uncle and a minor court officer, goes to her and asks her to intercede with the king. Of course, entering the Persian king's presence without an invitation was an offense for which you could be killed. At first, Esther refuses but her uncle sent her these words ... {Esther 4:12-14} When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he 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 royal position for such a time as this?"
....and Esther did go to the king, told him about the plot, and saved her people. A pretty and courageous young girl became the person God used to rescue His people!
God has a distinct plan and purpose for YOU. That is a fact that provokes very different responses. To some that is a frightening declaration. Their reaction is something like - "Oh, no. It's too hard to think about that. What if do not fulfill my purpose? I'm not sure I'm ready for this." To others the thought that God has a purpose for their life is exhilarating! "I am a person prepared and called to a place no one else can fill. Wow, that's too wonderful to truly understand, but God use me for your glory!"
If we think God is playing games with us, trying to see if we will fail so He can punish us, we will fear His will! If we understand that He desires success for us, that He has all the resources we need, the adventure of His will is not a thing to dread! The Word tells us that God works with us - "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV) When Jesus told the disciples that they were to go and spread the Message of the Kingdom, He promised, "I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” " (Matthew 28:20, The Message) As the Church was being born, those men and women leaned heavily on the promise of the Lord -"when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”" (Acts 1:8, NLT)
Some of us think that God is like Donald Trump's character on the reality TV program, The Apprentice. The business czar gives young people a very difficult task with minimal resources. Then he calls them into the board room and one of them is fired! That is not the picture I want you to have in mind about the Lord. Instead, I want you to think of Him as a patient Mentor, working with you, developing skills in you, pouring resources into your life - because YOUR SUCCESS in His purposes, ultimately reflects on Him!
Of course, there is a price to live in the purpose of God. It's not all glory! Esther's life, while wonderful in the results she brought about for her people, was full of decisions that cost her dearly. She had to set aside her personal comfort, her ease - and pursue the purpose single-mindedly. So must we! Pray today that the Lord will show you what He wants from you --- at work, in your extended family, at church, in your neighborhood. Your faithfulness could bring about the eternal salvation of someone who has no other person to show them Jesus. Serious, isn't it?
What does He want from you "for such a time as this?"
_____________
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee.
Take my hands and let them move,
At the impulse of Thy love,
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take My Life And Let It Be --
Havergal, Frances R. / Malan, Henri A. CesarCopyright: Public Domain
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