Devotional - For Such a Time as This

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? Esther 4:14 (NIV) 

 The story of Esther’s meteoric rise to the position of queen and eventually rescuing her Jewish people from death and destruction is a well-known Bible story. Esther, a young Jewish orphan girl in the care of her uncle Mordecai, was suddenly catapulted from obscurity when she found favour with the King who was seeking a wife to replace Vashti who had defied his orders to appear before him. Having emerged head and shoulders above the other competitors, Esther was placed in a rigorous programme of treatment and preparation in order to step into her role as queen. 

The signal act of her queenship was her daring, uninvited approach to the king, which set the stage for her people to be delivered. She had come to the kingdom for such a time as this and her mantra was, if I perish, I perish. She was willing to face the music. She was willing to pay the price. She was willing to take the plunge and let the chips fall where they may. She was destined to fulfil her purpose.

 We are all destined to fulfil purpose. Each and every one of us was created by God to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). We are all gifted with different giftings, talents and abilities which are indications of the areas in which we are called to serve God and others, the areas in which we are called to fulfil purpose. God had brought is to the kingdom for such a time as this and the giftings, talent and abilities that He has placed inside of us will make room for us and bring us before king (Proverbs 18:16).

 It is no coincidence that we are born in the country we are born, and in the year that we are born. It is all by God’s design. It is part of His sovereign masterplan for us to subdue and have dominion of the world. Yes, he is calling us to take our place and fulfil destiny and purpose. Creation itself cries out for the manifestation of the Sons of God. (Roman8 :19) God does not force us, however. He gives us free will.  We can say yes, or we can say no. The choice is ours.

 Like Esther, we all need to answer the call of God on our lives. Whose life are we called to impact? What problem are we here to solve? What about the books that need to be written? Like the Jews needed Esther, someone needs us to set the stage for their deliverance. We need to move swiftly and decisively, committed to carrying out the mandate set before us. We should set our faces as flints (Isaiah 50:7), not looking to the right or the left, but keeping our eyes on Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2). 

We must be willing to leave our comfort zone and step out into the unknown. Like Peter, we should be willing to step out of our boats and walk on water, as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus. It's time to launch out into the deep, allowing our faith to take us where we have never been before. We need not fear, because the angels of God are holding us up in their hands and He will not allow us to dash our foot against a stone (Psalm 91: 11 – 12). It is daytime, the time to do the work of the Lord. Soon it will be nighttime when no one will be able to work (John 9:4).

God has brought you to the kingdom for such a time as this. He is waiting for you to answer His call. Will you? It's time.

 Reflection

What are my giftings, talents and abilities? 

How can I use them to glorify God and fulfil His purpose for my life?

 Prayer 

Father, thank you for the gift, talents and abilities that you have placed inside of me. Reveal to me any that are hidden and help me to develop them to the fullest. Help me to use them to bring honour and glory to your name. Amen.