May reflection – You were born for such a time as this
Esther 4: 14
“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?”(NK JV)
You were born for such a time as this – Esther 4:14
The book of Esther is one of only two in the Bible named after women (the other is Ruth).
The biblical story is set during a time when the Jews suffered much racial hatred. They had been a minority in Persia for years.
There are four characters in the story :
King Xerxes:
who reigned in power at his palace in Susa, Persia. He had banished Queen Vashti. So, the search for another queen went out through the region.
Esther:
Who was taken from her home and came to live in the palace along with many other girls of the harem. She was Jewish but never revealed her nationality or family background, as Mordecai had advised her. God gave her great favor among all there, and she soon became queen.
Mordecai :
Mordecai was a Jew and Esther’s older cousin. He had adopted and raised her after she lost her parents. He continued to advise Esther and check on her safety, even after she had been taken to live in the king’s palace. As a government official, he reported an assassination plot against the King and saved his life, which later caused the king to become aware of his loyalty and devotion.
Haman:
He was a descendant of King Agag, an enemy of the Jews. He was given a seat of honor by the King, but pride and lust for power drove him to hate any who would not bow down to him. When Mordecai refused, he sought revenge on all of God’s people by devising a plot to kill the Jews.
Our focus today is on Esther and how she hid to the clarion call to courageously rise for her people no matter the earthly consequences. She put her life at risk to save a nation.
What does it mean to Rise ?
To arise, means to be stirred up, to be awake and to prepare for action.
When the Lord tells you to arise in strength, He is simply asking you to get up, shake off the spirit of poverty, lack, or infirmity that had been dogging your steps and turn it into prosperity, blessings, and goodness.
Arise means to begin to occur or to exist : to come into being or to attention. Get with God every day. When we begin to understand how big and strong and able God is, then hope automatically comes.
Count your blessings. There is something compelling and profound that happens when we simply look for the surrounding good. Learn to seize the moments, as Esther did, today.
Esther was born for such a time as this. She was charged!
“If you persist in staying silent at a time like this, help and deliverance will arrive for the Jews from someplace else, but you and your family will be wiped out. Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14, MSG).
Dearly beloved, today God is saying to you; Before you were born, you were special to Me. I knew you before you were conceived in your mother’s womb. With my hands, I fearfully and wonderfully created every detail that makes you so unique. I know where you have been, where you are and where you are going.
Rise in strength, you are the apple of my eye. When trouble approaches, I will hide you in the shadow of my wings. I have even engraved you on the palms of my hands.
It is my love for you that makes you precious and honored in my sight.
Rise in strength, for I created you for my glory, and I will never abandon what l have formed and made.
My goodness and love will follow you every day of your life. So do not fret; I will fulfill my purpose for your life.
- To Rise in strength, we have to follow biblical guidelines: Be empowered by the word of God and don’t be silent. Speak the truth always. Esther, was empowered by the word of God; hence, she arose in strength and confronted a situation. She refused to remain silent and put her life on the line for her people.
- To Rise in strength, we have to understand that God is the only One who has the power to turn trials into blessings.
- To Rise in strength, we must know that our prayers matter. Our voice matters. Our actions matter. And God is our Deliverer.
- We must be courageous. When we Rise in strength, God will give us the courage to do all that He asks us to do. God can bring great favor and blessing on our lives, even in hard places. He will always be faithful to lead us and to fight on our behalf.
- Beware of pride. Pride is a trap. Humility is key. Be humble. Be noble no matter the position of authority you find yourself.
Lastly, note that everything is about God and not us. Whatever places of leadership or positions of authority God has given us in life, one thing is true: It was never meant to be all about us. Every part of our lives should point ultimately to God and His truth.
So do not fret, Rise in strength and God will fulfill his purpose in and for your life. Always remember…God’s love endures forever and ever!
Remain blessed.
