Esther 4:14-16
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?15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
From Hardship to Royalty
Esther’s life had not been simple. She lost both her parents, leaving her in the care of Mordecai. Thankfully, Mordecai loved her and had her best interests at heart. Though the Lord allowed her to endure hardship, He also blessed her with beauty, which He would use for His glory. God gave her favor in the King’s court, and she eventually became Queen—a true rags-to-riches story. She even had the opportunity to save the King’s life by passing along crucial information through her uncle Mordecai.
A Battle Between Good and Evil
As God was raising up Esther, Satan was raising up Haman. Haman, much like his master Satan, was proud, murderous, and deceitful. He hated Mordecai and sought to destroy all Jews. This is a tale as old as time. As God raises up His saviors, Satan raises up his Judases. Even now, there are people in high places working to destroy all that is good, striving for the extinction of babies in the womb, and attempting to push the God of the Bible out of every government institution—and eventually out of every home and heart.
For Such a Time as This
Through the rise of this evil man, Haman, Esther was confronted with the true purpose of her life. Mordecai’s words hit the nail on the head: “And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Suddenly, what had seemed like a series of random events in her past and good fortune in her later years came into focus. All of it—the trials, the beauty, her position—was part of God’s plan. While a life of luxury and ease is worth living for, doing the will of God is worth dying for. Esther’s response was clear: “If I perish, I perish.”
God’s Hand in Our Lives
Dear reader, perhaps your life feels like a jumble of broken relationships, heartache, and circumstances you never would have chosen. Rest assured, God’s purposes are at work. Maybe the blessings in your life seemed like mere strokes of luck or chance, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t know when it will happen for you, but like Esther, there should come a moment when you realize that all God has done to you and for you was for what He planned to do through you. Perhaps Mordecai’s words will be a wake-up call for you as well: “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Why Are You Here?
Ask yourself that question today: Why am I here? Why do I have the things I have? What is the purpose of this life God has given me? If it’s simply for our enjoyment, then we’re not Christians—we’re hedonists. God raises up His people for purposes of salvation and righteousness, to defeat the forces of evil and bring salvation to the world. You may not have a great platform like Esther, but in some way, you can still make a difference.
Are you a mother? Then raise your children with a purpose, to glorify God and be light in this dark world. Are you a businessman? Think about how your business could advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you a student? Consider the impact you could have on your classmates. You are who you are and where you are because God has brought you here.
A Life Worth Dying For
A life with purpose is one that has found something worth dying for. For Esther, it was the salvation of her people, and so it should be for every Christian.
I’m reminded of a song we sing:
"Brethren, see poor sinners round you Slumb'ring on the brink of woe; Death is coming, hell is moving, Can you bear to let them go? See our fathers and our mothers, And our children sinking down; Brethren, pray and holy manna will be showered all around."
Can you bear to go on living in the blessings God has given you while countless millions have never heard the gospel of Christ? Don’t let fear rob you of the purpose God has set for your life. Like Esther, commit your life into the hand of the King of kings, take the initial step of faith, and watch how God can use your life for His glory.
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