Esther, for times like these
“For if you remain silent at this time, there will be relief and deliverance for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. And who knows that you have become king for just such a time?” (Estimates 4:14-15).
Esther was a Jewish orphan living in Persia after her people were taken captive from Jerusalem. Raised by her cousin Mordecai, she lived during the time of King Xerxes, who ruled Persia stretching from India to Ethiopia.
An order was sent to bring all the virgins from the surrounding areas to the king’s palace in place of Queen Vashti, who gained the king’s dislike and was deposed. Esther was one of the maidens taken and was eventually chosen as the next queen.
Mordecai had a high-ranking position in the government which made him aware of a plot by Haman, an official of the king, to kill all the Jews.
Now, the only way this order could not be executed was for Esther to appear before the king and request that the plot be dropped on her behalf. However, requesting an audience before the king was a serious matter. If he refused to listen to him, the punishment was immediate death.
It was at this time that she made her famous statement, “If I die, I will die too.” Esther realized that this might be the reason God created her – to save his people from destruction. However, out of concern for Esther, Mordecai explained the situation to her, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will come from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed.” Mordecai was giving him a choice. Either he will be used by God or someone else will be used to save his people.
Every day you and I are given a choice in our workplace. Are we willing to be the person God uses to influence people’s future destiny? Many of us are silent Christians and simply let the status quo prevail and watch silently. Who knows you may have been created for such a time that you may become a catalyst for some situation in your workplace or community or nation.
Be faithful to your calling.
