Monday March 18: 13 Adar II

Today is recognized as the fast of Esther. This was a fast called in preparation to go into the King of Persia and reveal Haman’s plot against the Jews. Having heard of this evil plot and of Esther’s initial hesitation to go before the King, her kinsman, Mordecai, sent word to her saying:

“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)

There are many things that we can glean from these few words, and one of the first things is this: sometimes men aren’t in the right position to lead the people. Sometimes the Creator chooses a woman to act on behalf of His people, reminding us, once again, that all have something of value to contribute to the body – not just the men. Whether man or woman, when we find ourselves in a position to make a difference on behalf of God’s people, and fail to do so, God will find someone else to do it. His purpose will go forward with us or without us.

I believe that each of us as individuals and all of us as a corporate Body have, indeed, come into the Kingdom for such a time as this. Consequently, we must recognize and embrace our purpose, and commit ourselves to its fulfillment when the time comes to step into it. We must be willing to muster the courage to do what’s expected of us when called upon. Here’s Esther’s response to the challenge before her:

“Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: ‘Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!’” (Esther 4:15-16)

Notice these dramatic words uttered by this young Jewish woman, Hadassah, better knowns as Esther. She had determined that if laying down her life would be required of her, in order to spare her people, that is what she was willing to do. Thankfully, her life was not what God required, rather it was her willingness to be selfless on behalf of others that He desired. This concept reminds us of what is written of a last day generation of overcomers, as recorded in the book of Revelation:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11)

We have no idea what’s going to happen today or tomorrow. Who knows but that one day you or I might find ourselves in the position, without looking for it, to be in the right place at the right time on behalf of God’s people. Will we be committed to our purpose at that time? Will we find it within ourselves to believe that God will deliver His people? In time, its very likely that we will have the opportunity to see those questions answered. Let us commit ourselves to the task today that we might fulfill His will tomorrow.