For Such A Time As This

For Such a Time as This

(Esther 4: 9-17)

Introduction

Tucked away in the pages of the Old Testament is this little book of Esther. It has only ten short chapters. Some have criticized the book because nowhere does it mention God by name. However, as Chuck Swindoll says, "God can be seen at work in the lives of its characters on every page."

I like the book of Esther because it's about an underdog who made good. Guess why I like that kind of story? I was born with a physical handicap and a speech impediment. Esther was a Jewish girl carried into Persia captivity along with her cousin Mordecai and his family. Sometime after they arrived, King Ahasuerus vanished Queen Vashti because she refused to dance at his drunken party. They decided to choose a new queen by having a beauty contest. The most beautiful young lady in the Empire would be the next Queen. On the advice of her cousin Mordecai, Esther enters the contest. You guess it; this young Jewish lady becomes the Queen of the Persian Empire.

Later, one of the Government officials, a man mane Haman becomes jealous of Mordecai- because he wouldn't bow to him. Haman devised a wicked plot to do away not only with Mordecai, but all the Jews in the Kingdom. When Mordecai learns of this plot, he takes the problem to Queen Esther.

The main message of the book is found here in the fourth chapter, in Cousin Mordecai's words to Esther, then her answer.

1. Mordecai reminds Esther that she has become the Queen for a reason or purpose.

When Mordecai shares with Esther, she sends him the message that there's no way she can help. Everyone knows that anyone, including the Queen who goes into the King, when they are not called, will have their head removed unless he holds out his golden scepter. She has not been called before the King in thirty days. There's no way she will go in for any reason uninvited, not even to save her people.

In his second message to Esther, Mordecai reminds her that there are no accidents in God's plans. Esther had become Queen of the Persian Empire at this time for a purpose.

I don't believe it's an accident that you and I have come to live in such a time as this. Franklin the Graham says," We haven't seen anything like this since World War II, and we need to be praying. This is an excellent opportunity for evangelism. This is going to open people's hearts like we haven't seen in a long time ". While all of us are being urged to keep our social distance, we can share the peace that only Jesus brings in numerous ways. We can do this through social media, etc.

2. Mordecai reminds Esther of the danger of silence.

Again, Mordecai reminds Esther," For if thou altogether hold thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house will perish." (Esther 4:14) This is a rather strong statement.

The gays & lesbians are speaking out … gay marriages are being performed … AND … our leaders are listening to them.

The abortionists are speaking out … abortion is still legal and, on the increase, … AND … our leaders are listening to them.

The liberals are speaking out … family values have become a laughingstock … AND … our leaders are listening to them.

The sad truth is … the Christians in America are the majority … BUT … we are doing very little to speak out as a witness for the Lord. We are content to sit in our homes and shake our heads at the direction our country is headed. We are content to sit IN Church and say "Amen" to the sermon … BUT … do very little OUTSIDE the Church to be a witness for the Lord. We have believed the lie that politics is no place for the Church or Christian

When Jesus was entering Jerusalem before His crucifixion, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen; saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out! (Luke 19:37-40)

I believe if the Church continues to hold our peace in these times, we will continue to decline. God will find another way to make Himself known at this critical time. God's hands aren't tied. He will use someone else to save His people But, think how great it would be for God to use us.