“For Such a Time as This”
Tuesday, December 05, 2023
Categories: Moment With The Master
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
The story of Esther’s courage is a classic that has encouraged the saints both young and old. King Ahasuerus established a decree that on day 13 of month 12 all Jews would be exterminated. Queen Esther, a lovely Jewish girl, was the only hope of the Jews. Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, pleads with Esther to make supplication for her people before the king. Esther reminds her cousin that approaching the king without invitation would likely result in her death. Mordecai’s reply (printed above) is a classic.
By these words Mordecai is encouraging Esther to cease the moment! She must take advantage of the opportunity. Esther was the instrument that could be used by God to redeem her people. In dramatic fashion Esther accepts her possible plight: “And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" (Esther 4:16)
It has occurred to me that most opportunities for doing good are not this dramatic. Much of life is quite ordinary. These occasions to make a difference are in every relationship: family, neighbor, nation, and church, and almost everyday we live.
We often search for significance by the momentous and dramatic. Occasionally, a sermon or song service will prompt an emotional thrill! We rejoice emotionally when one decides to obey Christ in baptism. Unfortunately, some love the drama of a “church fight”. However, most of life is not that way.
In our work most days are just ordinary. Life is the same old routine! It can be quite boring! However, this does not mean that such times are not significant. Every day we live still belongs to God. It is God’s day and God’s time. Even the “small” things can make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.
Dear brethren, never under-estimate the value of your life or the power of your influence. Even the quiet moments count for God’s service.
By George Slover |
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