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Esther 4:1-14NIV
1When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.2But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it.3In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes.4When Esther’s eunuchs and female attendants came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.5Then Esther summoned Hathak, one of the king’s eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why.6So Hathak went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king’s gate.7Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.8He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to instruct her to go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.9Hathak went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said.10Then 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.”12When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai,13he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.14For 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?”
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YOU SEE
The story of Esther is not about the plans and purposes of God hinging on the decision of one girl. It is about the future of that girl hinging on her decision to choose to be a part of the plans and purposes of God.
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“FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS”
There is no assertion why Esther has been appointed queen, but it seems Mordecai is implying that it could be because God is in the details.
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Romans 8:28NIV
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
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Ephesians 2:10NIV
10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE
Will you say yes to the the call or will you try to avoid it and seek temporary comfort instead?
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Esther 4:15-17NIV
15Then 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.”17So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.
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Esther’s call to assemble and fast accompanies a similar cry for divine relief.
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Joel 2:12-16NIV
12“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”13Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.14Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.15Blow the trumpet in Zion,declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.16Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
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THE CALL OF GOD:
To trade transient comfort for a transformative cross.
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To choose to take up our cross and say YES to God’s call changes us:
-It gives us apurpose
-It gives ushope
-Ittransformsus
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In the end, Esther was obedient. Because she was, the Jews were saved!
What or who is on the other side of your choice today?