For Such a Time as This

This particular phrase is found in Scripture in Esther 4:14. The story of Esther is compelling. She was in the right place at the right time and experienced God’s favor. When the current queen embarrassed the king, he decided to go in search of a new queen. Esther was one of many women brought to the king. She experienced God’s favor and pleased the king and was crowned the new queen. The beginning of this story reads like a good romance or a premise for a reality show. Although, I am fairly certain that is probably not how it felt to Esther.

Esther had been raised by her Uncle Mordecai, who recognized God had a purpose in what He was doing with her. When Esther’s people, the Jews, were threatened by an evil agenda and a greedy, jealous man close to the king, Mordecai challenged Esther with her purpose.

Esther 4:13-14 (NKJV) “And Mordecai told them to answer 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 had a choice. Would she opt for perceived safety or courage? Mordecai was showing her that even though she may feel “safe” tucked away in the king’s palace, she wasn’t truly safe. The only safe place is with God. Furthermore, maybe this is why she had experienced God’s favor. God had sent her to that palace to help save her people. Esther did act in faith and courage and exposed the evil agenda against her people, saving the Jewish people.

The truth is many of these people we consider heroes in the Bible were not heroes to begin with. They expressed doubt and often faithlessness. The advantage we have is that we can easily sit on the sidelines and cheer them on because we know the ending of their stories.

We know that when Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him and then changed their minds and sold him into slavery, Joseph would become Pharaoh’s right-hand man and save his people from famine.

We know that when God gave Noah the directions to build the ark, even though it had never rained before and Noah was mocked, it would eventually rain and flood the earth. But Noah and his family would be saved.

We know that when God told Abraham He would have descendants that would outnumber the stars, it would happen despite Sarah being barren and past child-bearing years.

We know that when Moses approached the burning bush and argued with God, Moses would indeed rescue God’s people from Egypt and would also go on to have an incredibly intimate relationship with the Lord.

All of these people we find in the Bible were born for a time and a purpose. But what about us? I don’t think God has changed His mind. We were all born in a particular time period for a particular purpose. The main difference is we don’t know how our story will end. Our story, just like all the ones in the Bible, requires faith. Faith in God, and faith that He does, in fact, know what He is doing.

Psalm 139:13-18 (TPT) “You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord! You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place; carefully, skillfully you shaped me from nothing to something. You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me.”

This Psalm was written by David. David was conceived through questionable means. He was born out of wedlock and possibly conceived through incest. When Samuel, the prophet, came calling to anoint the next king of Israel, David was not invited into the house. Samuel looked at all of David’s brothers and knew he had not met the future king. He asked David’s father if there was another brother. Only then was David invited in, and Samuel anointed David as the future king of Israel.

You may want to read the Psalm again now knowing how David was treated in his own family. David, however, was not a mistake. God looked at David and knew He could use him.

You are not a mistake. There is a purpose in your existence. There is no one on earth exactly like you with your giftings and talents. There is no one on earth that sees the world as you do. There is no one on the earth that has the same exact relationship with God as you do. You were planned on purpose for a purpose. And the importance of your existence here at this time cannot be overstated.

Notoriety and fame are not the goal, nor are they a verification of our importance. We are called to love God and love people. We can all have a personal and intimate relationship with the Lord. He desires to connect with each and every one of us. His heart longs for it!

We also all have a sphere of influence that no one else has. We have people in our lives who are our family, co-workers, and friends. Some are there for life, and some are there for seasons of our life. Whatever the case may be, there is a purpose in God having your lives intersect. What is your purpose in their lives? Are you called to strengthen, encourage, speak God’s truth, or pray for them? Whatever the reason, it is not accidental. There is a purpose.

What is your faith story? What is it that God is asking you to partner with Him in doing? What special talents or giftings have you been blessed with that only you can use to advance the kingdom of God? Where is God asking you to step out in faith?

Remember, God is always for you, not against you. He loves you more than you can imagine. Step out in faith with Him and watch as your faith story is written!