The book of Esther contains a wonderfully dramatic story of a young Jewish girl named Esther who became queen of Persia after essentially winning a beauty contest. She was taken into the palace of the king, where she enjoyed the finest food, wore the most beautiful clothing, and was given numerous servants to do her bidding. She lived in the lap of luxury. Hers might have been the ultimate feel-good, rags-to-riches story, but for one significant detail.
There was a wicked man named Haman who worked for the king. Haman hated the Jewish people. (He didn’t know about Queen Esther’s background.) He hated them so much, in fact, that he devised a plan to exterminate all Jews living in the kingdom.
Esther had an uncle named Mordecai, who became aware of Haman’s genocidal plan. Mordecai turned to the only person he knew who was in a position to counter Haman’s influence with the king: his niece, Esther. At first, Esther was understandably afraid to intervene. She had no idea how much clout she actually had. If she miscalculated, she would be putting her own life at risk.
So, Mordecai sent this message to Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 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?” (Esther 4:13–14).
His words moved Esther, who intervened with the king and foiled Haman’s plot. The courageous young woman saved her people because she recognized that God had put her in a specific place for a specific reason.
Her story serves as an inspiration to all believers. It’s unlikely that any of us will be called by the Lord to avert genocide. But that doesn’t change the fact that we all play key roles in God’s plan—even if we may not fully understand what those roles are.
Who’s to say God hasn’t put you where you are right now for such a time as this? In whatever situation you find yourself, seize the moment. Do what you can. That’s what Esther boldly did.
God says in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” If you are fearlessly faithful to God in the circumstances you find yourself in, He will accomplish amazing things in and through you.
