The story
Do you know where in the Bible we find the words: “…. for such a time as this”? That was a question asked at our small group meeting recently, a phrase that summarises the whole of the book of Esther. Here we read of the story of a young woman, a Jewish girl who, along with her much older cousin, Mordecai, and a multitude of other people, had been taken into captivity and exiled in Babylon. But that calamity is only the start of Esther’s story. Through a series of events, this very attractive young woman finds herself chosen to become the new queen of the Babylonian king. After some time passes, a second calamity looms: a plot is put into action to destroy all of the Jews throughout Babylonia. Mordecai is alerted to this and has to persuade Esther to beseech the king to recind the decree that he had inadvertently approved for the killing of the Jews. Esther is hesitant, knowing that if she approached her husband without first being summoned, then she would be liable to lose her life, such was the law of the land. This brings us to the phrase that we started with. Recognising the severity of the danger to his people, Mordecai suggested that it may be that Esther had come to her place as queen so that she would be in a position to influence the king and bring about a remedy to what was about to occur ….. for such a time as this (Esther 4:14).
Implicit faith
Esther’s journey had been a hard one. She had lost her parents and been adopted by Mordecai, forcibly exiled to a very foreign land, leaving behind her home and everything she had known. Then she had been recruited into the king’s harem, which probably wasn’t a welcome experience for this Jewish girl. Becoming queen sounds to us like some fairy tale, but in doing so, Esther had to forego a normal married and family life. However, she found herself in a place of great influence if she handled the situation rightly. First, however, she had to recognise the need and choose to do something about it. Interestingly, Esther is the only book in the Bible where God doesn’t get a mention. But it is clear to us, as readers of this story, that it was God’s plan that resulted in Esther being in the place she was, in a position to bring about the salvation of the Jewish people. It is also noteworthy that Mordecai recognised that if Esther took no action, then deliverance would arise from elsewhere, such was his faith in God. What a tragedy it would have been if, having been placed in such a position, Esther had failed to use her position for good; if she had allowed fear or perceived self-interest to take precedence over moral responsibility and God’s purpose for her in that situation.
Equipping
The world is a different place now; we don’t face circumstances that are in any way similar to those that confronted Esther. However, God does prepare us to fulfil his purposes, sometimes taking us on a challenging journey, so that he can place us in a position to meet a specific need. This probably won’t involve averting a tragedy, but will entail doing something to advance his kingdom. This might amount to a small but crucial thing, a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Alternatively, it may involve exerting an influence over a protracted period of time. Just as we all gain an education, maybe even including a degree, so that we will be equipped for a career, so God prepares us to be equipped for his purposes. We often don’t see the results in the way that we have anticipated. I went to Bible College, not because I had an appetite for academic study, but because I wanted to serve God. I felt that, if I was serious about this, then it was important to start out by getting equipped to do so. As it happened, whilst I have always served in different ways, it wasn’t ever in a full-time capacity. Since retiring, I have been led to take up writing books about Christian faith, and now also this BLOG. I recognise that it is the many years of spiritual development, as well as some tough life experiences, that have equipped me for what I am doing now.
Clarity
I think that most of us progress with our lives without having a clear idea of what our current experience is leading up to. We might think in terms of promotion at work, or serving in the church in some general way, but we are just getting on with life, fulfilling responsibilities and doing whatever lies before us. These are not bad things. We don’t have to know the end from the beginning; we only need to be obedient to what we believe God has said we should undertake now. But there are some Christians who have a distinct calling, perhaps given to them early on in their walk with God. And, there are others who receive encouraging prophetic words about how God plans to use them in future. I have always thought it would have been great to have been given such clarity, but that wasn’t part of my journey of faith, and perhaps not yours either.
The coming day
I am convinced that God is not wasteful. If we place our lives in his hands, then he will both guide us and use us as we journey on, but he will also be preparing us for what he has in mind for our future. This requires us to stay the course and also to be ready to step out or step up when he calls us to. It might be that for you, ‘such a time as this’ is now, or on the horizon perhaps, and you have to decide to take some bold step of obedience and faith. Or, it may be that whatever God has for you to do in future is clouded and uncertain, but what you are facing now is preparatory for that day when the mist will clear and His purpose will be revealed. Either way, we are called to be faithful and willing – obedient servants, eager to do our master’s will.