Day 3: Such a Time as This

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” -Esther 4:14 KJV

The book of Esther tells the story of a young girl named Hadassah. When her mother and father died, her cousin Mordecai took her in and raised her as his daughter. Hadassah, also known as Esther, was a beautiful and lovely young lady. However, she and her cousin Mordecai were descendants of the Jews who had been carried away in captivity to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar and were subject to a life of servanthood.

One day, the King made a proclamation that all the young virgins in the province were to be brought to him so that he could find the next queen. Esther was among those brought to the King. As the Lord would have it, she found favor in the King’s sight and was selected to be the queen. A girl who didn’t fit the mold and by tradition was highly unlikely to become queen, did just that. This lets us know that it’s not our background or pedigree that man may require that determines our qualification, but rather it’s the Lord who does the selection, and whom the Lord selects, he qualifies.

But we must also know that when the Lord selects us, He also has a purpose for us. Never forget that every God-given assignment has a God-given purpose attached to it. As was the case with Esther. While Esther was promoted to the palace, the King had a top official who was plotting the destruction of Mordecai and his Jewish kinsmen. Mordecai sent word to Esther of the plot and told her to go to the King on their behalf. Although Esther was queen, she also knew that there was a law that anyone who went before the King uninvited was subject to be put to death, unless he extended his golden scepter. When Esther shared this with Mordecai, he reminded her that if she chose to be fearful and not take the assignment, then someone else would be raised up to accomplish God’s plan. But he also left her with some food for thought—perhaps this is the reason that you are in the position that you are in; so that you can be the one to complete the assignment.

There is nothing coincidental with God. He is intentional in everything that He does. When He places you in position and gives you an assignment, He has a purpose that He has destined you to fulfill. In Esther’s case, God positioned her to have favor with the King so that the lives of the Jews would be spared. God has positioned you and given you an assignment that has purpose attached to it as well. Esther could have passed on the assignment and kept silent. As Mordecai reminded her, if she had chosen that route, many lives would have been at stake.

You may not know the lives attached to the assignment that God has given you, but it is safe to say that God has purposed it to make an impact in someone’s life. Never discount the impact of your yes. Just as the yes of an orphan turned queen saved a nation, who knows the significance your assignment will make in the lives of others. You have been selected and positioned for a time such as this.

Reflection: God uses regular people to do extraordinary things. Often, when we look at the things that God assigns us to do, we underestimate the impact of our yes. Usually, the purpose of the assignment is far greater than what we imagine or think. The thing is that only God knows the ultimate purpose for His ask. Your part is to be a willing vessel that He can use.

Prayer prompt: Lord, I don’t know all of what You have planned, but I give You a yes all over again. I thank you for walking with me and choosing to use me as a vessel that You can work through.