You Were Made for This Moment预览

The story of Esther draws to a close with the king’s decree that the Jews could defend themselves in every province of Persia. Mordecai now held Haman’s position of power, and those in authority feared him and helped the Jews defeat their foes. Quite a turnaround for the man who only wanted to blend in! But it was also a turnaround for God’s people. 

A new chapter had been written in their history. They realized they could embrace their identity, even in exile, and trust the hand of God. There was no need to hide their nationality. A person of faith could be a person of influence. Mordecai, the man at the gate, became Mordecai, the Jew in the court. Esther, the quiet queen, became Esther, the Jewish heroine.

Mordecai and Esther wanted to ensure the people would remember this moment, so they commissioned an annual commemoration of remembrance. Just as Christians read the story of the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the Jews read the story of Esther during the feast of Purim. It is a reminder that the day of execution of the Jews had arrived, but they were still standing.

We all need such memories that jog our memory. We have a tendency when times are tough to forget that God is always for us—not against us—and is working on our behalf. We need the continual reminder that he is near us, not far away; that he is busy, not sleepy; that he can make beauty out of ashes, joy out of mourning, and rejoicing out of sorrow. 

Seasons of struggle can be treacherous times for the human heart. When the storms roll in, we can be sitting ducks for discouragement and defeat. But such seasons can also be a developing time. They make us bitter or make us better! The story of Esther helps us to make the right choice. It helps us to shift our focus away from the struggles at hand and ponder the power of our God. Where God is small, problems are large, but a great God makes for a solid saint. 

So let’s remember the "Purim celebration" Jesus gave us. Satan had schemed to kill the Son of God and forever thwart the Almighty’s plan of salvation. From a human standpoint, it seemed that Satan had won when Jesus was executed on a Roman cross. But that very cross proved to be Satan's demise. This tool of death for Christ became an instrument for life for us. As we share communion, we remember what Jesus did for us through his broken body and spilled blood. 

When you wonder what good can come from your broken world, your leaky faith, or your fragile dreams, the story of Esther says, “much good can come from it.” Purim says, “God works great turnarounds.” Communion says, “always remember just what Jesus has done for you.” 

It just falls to you to receive it. Receive the cup. Receive the bread. Don’t be done in by bad news. Don’t fall victim to the voices of panic and chaos in your world. Always remember that you have a good God who has a good plan, and that plan is revealed in his good book. Today’s confusion and crisis will be tomorrow’s conquest. 

When your challenges want to make you bitter, recast the struggle for what it is: an opportunity for your heavenly Father to again flip a story on its head and resurrect life out of death. Tell your storm how big your God is! Rest secure in the hands of your living and loving God. But don’t stop there. Go out and tell others about everything that God has done.

You were created for this season to do God’s work and declare his goodness. This is your Mordecai moment and your Esther event. You—yes, you—were made for this moment.

Respond

What are ways that you remember what God has done in your life? 

How have seasons of struggle in the past served to make you stronger? 

How will you face your next opportunity for God to bring life to your story?