For Such a Time as This.

One of my all time favorite verses is found in the Old Testament book of Esther. If you want to know the whole story, you'll have to read it. It is a short book. But we find a situation where the King, Esther's husband has fallen into a trap, and has been convinced that all his problems are from the Jews in the kingdom. Hence he has issued a decree that all the Jews in the kingdom were to be killed on a certain date. The catch here is that his wife Esther is a Jew. Esther's Uncle Mordecai is charging her with going before the King on behalf or her family and people. She initially resists her Uncle's petition, but we find here one of the finest verses in the Bible about standing your ground in this secular world. Mordecai is speaking to Esther when we see this verse. -Esther 4:14- "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?" (NIV)

This verse I find as an enormous encouragement. Even in times of question and difficulty at my regular job. There comes a time to do the right thing, just because it is the right thing. (Now, I know in this day and age, 'the right thing' can be considered subjective. 'The right thing' is not subjective, it is sometimes difficult to discern, but there is usually a right and wrong. But that is for another day.) I really didn't think that doing the right thing was ever a real question. But self centeredness and self preservation often seem to rule. That can be a discouraging thought.

But we need to remember that we belong to the King of Kings. Some may have power, some may have money, some may have possessions. But no matter what your adversary may have, you belong to the King, and he owns the earth and all that is in it. (Psalm 24:1) Your adversary may own 1000 oil wells, but you serve the one who owns the earth that the oil wells are in. We must remember that regardless of the obstacles in our life, we will be victorious over it. It was Jesus who said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (NIV) Our victory is in him. He can handle all things.

Many times we see wrongs and injustices go by and we say and do nothing. There have been times in my life where I have truly felt that God has led me to do something, but by my own rationalization, I have dismissed it. Those have been errors. Jesus called us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. To live up to these callings, we have to be willing to stand for the truth. We have to stand for what is right. No more appeasing others just because we don't like confrontation. Our Lord was a confrontational man. (Just read the Gospels.)

We often think of confrontation in a negative light. But when we read Ester, we see that she had to confront the King under penalty of death for it was illegal to go before the King un-summoned in that time. And her actions are valiant and courageous. I hope to have her courage. Do you?

Each of us holds a unique position. The Bible calls Esther's position ‘Royal’ and it is. But what position do you hold. Do you have influence in the lives of others? Chances are you do, even if you don't recognize it. We have to pay attention to our roles as followers of Christ. In those roles, God will use us. (We are the light of the world) So when we see wrongs, injustice, pain, suffering, we don't need to turn a blind eye and justify it away. Instead we need to remember what Mordecai said to Esther, "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews [or Gods people] 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?"