Day 54

Esther



Esther 2:1-18, Esther 3:1-6, Esther 4:1-17, Esther 8:1-7, Hebrews 4:14-16

BY Rebecca Faires

Esther’s bravery was a provision of God’s gracious and eternal plan. Esther had the privilege of being part of the story of Israel’s rescue. But it’s unlikely that she wanted to be anywhere near the king’s harem—she probably would have preferred to stay safely at home.

And when calamity threatened, her cousin Mordecai prefaced his exhortation to Esther with this profound observation: “If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place” (Esther 4:14).

Mordecai understood that the real story doesn’t depend on us, but upon God, who always accomplishes His will. Only in light of this truth can we understand what it means to live rightly in the time and place God has put us. Mordecai’s words to Esther provide three profound implications:

First, it conveys an unwavering trust in God’s providence. Mordecai was not in doubt as to Who was Israel’s security and hope. It was not Esther. It was not himself. It was not man or the strength of men. He knew that God is faithful, that He keeps His covenant, that He alone is the preserver of His people. God alone can save.

Second, it is a reminder that God calls us to humility. When we find ourselves in a position either of pressure or of prominence, both are God’s doing, and both are for the glory of His kingdom. Mordecai mourned and repented in the public square, openly confessing His dependence on God. His call to Esther was to do the same with her position of privilege: not to use it for her own preservation or security, but to lay it at the feet of God, to yield it up to the purposes of His kingdom.

Third, it frames a biblical perspective of time and history. The phrase “for such a time as this” brings to mind all of the moments when God’s unseen hand is at work in the Esther narrative. The primary action of the story is not dependent upon what people decide to do, but on what “happens,” or rather, what Providence decrees. The story moves on a series of passive verbs, indicating a divine will that guides all things. “For such a time as this” is a reminder that both the evil of the day and the opportunity to stand for justice were provisions of God’s hand. God is at work, and He works all things—even the evil that men do—for the glory of His kingdom and the good of His people.

This hope is ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The true rescue of captive Israel is foreshadowed in Esther, but accomplished in the work of Jesus’s sacrifice. He is the true Savior of Israel. He stood before the rulers and judges of the world and obeyed even to the point of death on the cross. He took upon Himself the gallows punishment so that we might be redeemed. He fought the battle for us in order to give us victory. His eternal decree has overturned the decrees of kings and rulers, of powers and principalities, and He has established a kingdom that endures and confounds the powers of this world.

This is not a story about the bravery of Esther or the wisdom of Mordecai. It is a story about the sovereign providence of God. We are all born for such a time as this, and we can depend on Christ to fulfill His promises.

Post Comments (30)

30 thoughts on "Esther"

  1. Kara says:

    I love the idea that circumstances that may feel uncomfortable or unjust could be leading me to the very place where I can impact the kingdom. I’ve felt down for the last few days because several people around me are suffering. This is a good reminder for me to “put on my sackcloth” and give it all to the Lord Who Saves.

  2. Angie says:

    You are in my prayers Churchmouse. Maybe…”for such a time as this,” you will be brought to a place…you would not have chosen…to be used by God to bring His message of love and life to lost patients, doctors, and nurses. May you have clarity of thought and sight, resting in God’s faithfulness and love, at an even deeper level than usual. May your beautiful heart and life be drawn even more tenderly to Him. May this be a precious time of intimate care between your Savior and you. Praying for health…excited for your heart, and God’s hand.

  3. April says:

    Praying for you Churchmouse and for Tricia for healing, comfort and peace. I always look for your comments Churchmouse as you are very wise and have great insight. Thank you for being an inspiration for myself and many others. God is good all the time. We all have to keep the faith.

  4. Churchmouse says:

    Sweet sweet SRT sisters,

    Thank you for your prayers for my health and well being.

    Update: I’m in a holding pattern. The tumor in my kidney is small and removing it is not recommended for now. It may just sit there and not cause any trouble. It is not the kind to spread beyond the kidney. I will have a repeat scan in December and if it has grown then surgery will be done. The spots on my lungs may be signs of chronic infection – I haven’t had any symptoms. I’m in a holding pattern on that as well. Another scan will be done in a couple months to see if there is any change and if so, then invasive testing will be needed. The colon polyps were found to be precancerous and were removed. My doctor is not concerned and will follow up with another scope in two years unless I develop a problem.

    Isn’t God gracious in how these things were discovered by “happenstance” and thus discovered early, before I even had any symptoms? He’s led me to wonderful doctors, smart and kind. He’s given me the gift of time to wrap my mind around the various diagnoses and the various plans. And in the midst of it all He’s given me peace. I’m so blessed. I have a wonderful family and you dear friends – all people of faith and prayer! I’m surrounded by the best support and there’s a crowd of witnesses in heaven cheering me on as well.
    I share this update so that you are not overly concerned. I am not.
    God is good and I am grateful. I’m running the race. Whatever its length, He’s at the finish line. And He’s also right beside me. All is well.

    1. Pamela PennFite says:

      Praying for you.

    2. Kerry Rowley says:

      Thank you for the update. Even though this is my first SRT study I have come to look forward to the wisdom you share each day. Lifting you in prayer right now.

    3. Kylie Lineburg says:

      Sending prayers for you.

    4. Sue Edmonds says:

      Oh sweet Churchmouse, you are certainly in our prayers. Your faith encourages all of us. I am a cancer survivor for 15 years. I would not have chosen that road or the timing of it. I literally had surgery to remove my thyroid two days after my oldest daughter’s wedding. But as everything unfolded and I was able to see God’s provision through my treatments and recovery, I wouldn’t change a thing. Planning a wedding kept my mind occupied on exciting things rather than worried about what if’s. Having cancer was the catalyst that brought my mother back to church and into a transforming relationship with God. And in your testimony so far we see God already at work. I’m looking forward to you sharing what God does through your journey. Hugs to you and blessings ❤️

    5. Susan Richardson says:

      What a testimony you have. Bless the Lord!

    6. Sharon W says:

      Praying God is in control! He gives us peace as He works through our circumstances because We Love Him so much! He loved us first! He will take care of You. Thank you for sharing. Our Rock and Redeemer in times like these.

    7. Gina Glennon says:

      Thank you for this uodate and your confident hope in God’s goodness!

    8. Natasha R says:

      ❤️❤️❤️

    9. Karen J says:

      Prayers for you Churchmouse. I always look forward to your comments. Thank you for the update.

    10. Jennifer Conway says:

      The same thing happened to me. I went for a cat-scan for one non life threatening problem in the abdominal wall ( which was a miracle in its self that the crazy infection popped up) and they found a tiny kidney tumor. It was so small, they could remove just the tumor robotically and left the kidney totally functioning still. The tumor was cancerous, but they totally removed it so no other treatment was needed. Just went for follow up scan (18 months since surgery) everything still clear. Praise God for tests and especially amazingly wonderful, smart and kind doctors.

    11. Jennifer Anapol says:

      Praying for you! Your faith during this time is an encouragement.

    12. Jennifer Anapol says:

      I love the phrase, “for such a time as this.” I pray that I would live out my calling for the purpose God has for me during this time period.

  5. Searching says:

    So true, Churchmouse – I have wondered the same thing countless times, often along the lines of how do people make it through struggles without knowing Christ, how can they look around at nature or the miracle of a newborn baby and not realize God is everywhere? Praying for you Churchmouse as you walk through your health trials – thankful you know Christ and are so loved as a child of the one and only Almighty God.

  6. Churchmouse says:

    I sometimes get exasperated with unbelievers. The Truth seems so obvious to me and so foreign and even undesirable to them. I watch /read news reports and I get exasperated with the world. Can’t they see that a personal relationship with Jesus is foundational to peace and the precursor to loving our neighbors and caring for them? What a wonderful world that would be! But that, my friends, is heaven and my feet for now are solidly planted on earth. There are glimpses of heaven and some are profound but the longing for that which is eternity remains strong. Why not today, Lord? Why not return today and set all things right? Surely You are growing tired of the debauchery, the selfishness, the greed and the pride that is so prevalent here. But I see that the eastern sky has not split this morning and so I remain right where I am, in this place and time, “for such a time as this.” You have me here for Your purpose, your plan. Let me not obsess over my success or failure but rather let me focus on being faithful. Let me continue to proclaim you as Lord. Let me continue to live according to Your ways. Let me be faithful and leave the results to the Holy Spirit – for such a time as this.

    1. Nancy Hubbard says:

      I feel the same way !!!! Praying for you!

  7. Tricia Cavanaugh says:

    Churchmouse,
    I wanted you to know that I am praying for you. So many of us are. I just recently, last Christmas, was told I had cancer. It’s been a long, not always easy road, and still happening, but God…He is so faithful. I know He has a plan. For me and for you.
    Thank you for your testimony.

    1. Kerry Rowley says:

      Lifting you in prayer right now, Tricia.

  8. Kristen says:

    Yes, He is our Rescuer, Provider, and Redeemer. He’s everything. The verse mentioned above in Hebrews reminds me that we have a high priest that was tempted in all ways, but didn’t sin. He knows how we feel and can sympathize. Because of Him, we can approach the Throne of Grace. Thank You, Jesus!

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