For Such A Time As This

For Such a Time as This

Why are you here? Ever wondered that? Not in a galactic sense but in a here and now sense.

Why are you here in this very spot right now? This week, this month, this year?

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

(or make your paths straight NIV, NASB)

I was once employed at a place that I hated. It was a job taking phone calls and it gave me a lot of stress and I felt I died a bit each day I was there. It was horrible but at the time, I didn’t have any other options and didn’t have any other leads for a job. I couldn’t just quit, I had a family to support. I needed another job before quitting. I often prayed that God would get me out of that place but alas, nope, I was there.

One day, a lady came to me and we talked about spiritual matters. I had gone thru some things in the past and because of that I was able to share how God got me thru that time with the lady and was able to help her in some way. I was able to share the Gospel.

I felt like I was there at that horrible job just to be in that place to be able to share with that person in her time of need. Maybe that seems like bragging but I’m not really wanting to brag about it. We should always be sensitive to “God moments” and try to take the opportunity to share the hope that we have. These are not reading omens like a beware of black cat in your path, or don’t go under a ladder, or horoscope nonsense. This is being ready to share the Gospel and being spiritually aware of moments to do good - a big difference. God’s providence is defined as a divine guidance.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, …

The next week I was fired from that job! Ya know, normally, I’m an emotional person and I would have cried if I got fired. Do you think I cried this time? No, I was so happy and was saying thank you Lord! I was so happy to be out of there even though I didn’t have another job. Guess what. A few days later, an old friend called me out of the blue and asked if I needed a job! OK, wow!

Today we’re going to talk about a similar moment we find in the Bible in the Book of Esther. It’s like watching a chess game between the devil and God, and God wins!

After the Babylonian Exile and the Mede and Persian takeover, not all Jews went back to Israel, some stayed in Babylon. Of those Mordecai and his cousin Esther.

Queen Vashti Deposed for disrespecting King Xerxes.

King wanted a new haram and Esther was one of the ones selected.

Mordecai exposed a plot to kill the king and it was stopped.

Haman hated Mordecai because he would not bow to him.

Haman not only wanted to kill Mordecai but all Jews so made a decree with the Kings signet ring that could not be revoked.

Mordecai learned of what had been done, put on sackcloth and ashes and went into the city and wailed loudly and bitterly.

Esther sent her people to find out why Mordecai was upset and it was relayed back.

Esther 4:9-17

9 Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 your royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”