For Such a Time as This

And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift steeds. Esther 8:10


For Such a Time as This
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
05-03-2011


"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 royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14-15).


Esther was a Jewish orphan living in the land of Persia after her people were taken into captivity from Jerusalem. Raised by her cousin Mordecai, she lived during the time of King Xerxes who reigned over Persia that stretched from India to Ethiopia.


An edict was sent out to bring all the virgins to the king's palace from the surrounding regions to replace Queen Vashti who found disfavor with the king and was deposed. Esther was one of the young women taken and was ultimately selected to be the next queen.


Mordecai had a high ranking position in the government that allowed him to learn of a plot by Haman, an official of the king, to kill all of the Jews.


Now, the only way this edict would not be carried out was if Esther asked for an audience with the king to request that the plot be abandoned on her behalf. However, to request an audience before the king was a serious matter. If he refused to give her audience, the penalty was immediate death.


It was at this time she made her famous statement, "If I die, I die." Esther realized this could be the reason God created her - to save her people from destruction. However, out of concern for Esther, Mordecai explained the situation to her, "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." Mordecai was giving her a choice. Either she will be used by God or someone else will be used to save their people.


Everyday you and I are given a choice in our workplace. Are we willing to be the person God uses to impact the future destiny of a people? Many of us are silent Christians simply letting the status quo reign while we sit quietly by watching. Who knows that you were created for such a time as this to be a catalyst to stand in the gap for some situation in your workplace or community or nation.


Be faithful to your calling.

OBSERVATION

1. God works in His own time and season.



Esther also got her timing right. Maybe God has put it on your heart to do something for Him. Don't just jump into it but wait for his time. Joseph was in jail until it was God's time for him to be released. God will move in His time when we remain faithful and alert to His leading.

2.  Your background does not hinder your future with God.


Esther was an orphan. God still exalted her and used her. Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen, tax collectors and one was a doctor. Your background does not determine what God can do with you. Your faith does.

Today's Scripture Reading
Jesus Enters Jerusalem as King
Luke 19:28-40


After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,  “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 

If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”


Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.  As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”


They replied, “The Lord needs it.”


They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.


As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.


When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:


“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[a]



“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”


Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”


 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”




Footnotes

a.Luke 19:38   Psalm 118:26



PROPHETIC OBSERVATION

Did you notice how today's scripture reading and devotional teaching by Os Hillman are tied together?  Just as Queen Esther allowed herself to be prepared for the task. God's preparation timing can sometimes be long and uneventful. 

Another example of this is Moses.  He actually spent 40 years in the desert looking after sheep before coming to deliver the Israelites. The refining of our characters is very essential to God's plan for our life. God cannot use a proud woman (or man).

 If your someone who enjoy's studying bible prophecy you might want to ask yourself why Jesus requested a colt and not a horse?   I have a feeling that he was riding a colt to help illusrate that his time had not yet come.  

Throughout the bible horses are symbolic.  They are described as strong, swift, fearless, warlike, sure footed, loud snorting, black, red, white and dabble (green).   If you'd like to learn more about how horses  have been written about in scripture, please go here.    

On Friday during the Royal wedding procession the cheering from the crowd was so loud that one of the horses actually bolted and escaped down the street. Not much was made of this minor event because all eyes were fixed on the beautiful bride and groom and understandably so. But I saw this I couldn't help but think of the four horses mentioned in scripture. John writes this about the black horse. . . 

  "and I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine." Revelation 6:6   

Currently we're at the beginning of the barley harvest and the counting of the omer during the feast of first fruits that follows passover. We are all experiencing the rise of food and gasoline prices as the ugly black horse of inflation is just waiting in the wings. I have a feeling that the other three horses are probably not far behind.



The bible is very complex circle of words meant not only to teach us but also to bind our hearts closer to Him. What our Lord and Savior has started; someday he will finish with the most amazing eternal wedding of a lifetime!

"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude , like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting  

“Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! "