For Such A Time As This

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An edict had gone out all across the land. In 11 months the Jews of the diaspora would be "destroyed, killed and annihilated" as ordered by King Xerxes right hand man - the evil Haman.

Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and little children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. Esther 3:13

Their hope, a orphan girl named Esther, now Queen of Persia, and their God from whom they had strayed.

As the Jews heard of the death sentence they would be living with for the next 11 months, they spilled out into the streets of every city and province bewildered, weeping and wailing.

Inside the palace, Queen Esther had no clue of the heartbreak that was taking place just outside the walls. She had no idea that she herself would be staring death in the face right along side them.

Her uncle Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther telling her all that had been done. Detail after gut wrenching detail was vivdly explained to her eunuch who in turn brought the message inside the gates to Esther.

She was the one who would have to go to the King and plead for her people. But what he was asking of her was too much. Going before the King without an invitation was prohibited. If he did not show her mercy and extend the gold scepter whe would be immediately killed.

Can you imagine being place in a situation where there was a 50/50 chance you would be immediately beheaded? The consequences were too much! This decision was too hard! The responsibility was too great! What would she do?

Mordecai's response to Esthers words brought clarity to her dire situation. They made her choice become very clear. "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 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 had a destiny to fulfill and the events of her past and present each played a role in bringing her to this critical crossroad.

• The death of her parents.
• Orphaned at a young age.
• Her adoption by Mordecai.
• Living among the diaspora Jews in Susa.
• Mordecai's position as a Jew in the government.
• The banishment of Queen Vashti
• The search for a new Queen
• Finding favor with the King's eunuch
• Finding favor with the King.
• He was captivated by her.
• She was crowned Queen of Persia.

All of these things and more..., "For such a time as this".

So often we go through life thinking and believing that things "just happen". When in reality, God may be preparing you and I "for such a time as this".

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

If God is preparing you for what He has prepared for you, are you ready?

What will your answer be?