For Such A Time As This

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=esther%201-5&version=NIV

I recently heard a pastor say that when God calls us to work for him, it is not because he needs us to accomplish his purpose. Rather, he is already at work and is inviting us to become a part of it. Indeed, God doesn't need us to accomplish anything. How often we get that confused - believing and acting as if God can't do it without us or find someone else just as qualified.

So why, then, does God call us to work for him? I believe the answer is because we grow when we take up these challenges that often require steps of faith. I also believe it is because through this work we will get to see God's glory - and what I beautiful thing it is to behold God's glory at work in the lives of people God has allowed us to touch for him.

The bottom line is that God calls us to step out in faith so that we can watch him work. He doesn't need us to be involved in the work to accomplish it - rather he allows us to be involved. The results are blessings that abound in our lives and in those we serve.

Mordecia and Esther where invited by God to be involved in the work he was doing to rescue his people. Mordecai had a great understanding of what is discussed above. He and Esther are a beautiful picture of faith in God's promises and sovereignty and obedience that stems out of that faith. Watch tomorrow's reading for the blessing they receive because of their obedience as we see God's plan and purpose fulfilled.

But for now, let's take a closer look at what I think is one of the most powerful passages in scripture. I won't give the background, because if you're reading, you know it. Instead, we'll jump straight into the part where Esther is invited to become part of God's rescue mission. Mordecia urges Esther to go before the King and beg for mercy for the Jewish people who are facing genocide. Esther is hesitant - understandably fearful.

The portion I'd like to focus on are Mordecai's words in response to Esther's hesitation:

"Do not think that because you are in the king's house you along 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. But who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." - Esther 4:12-14

My study notes say that the themes of the book of Esther are most clearly expressed in this passage. Mordecai's confidence that the Jews would be delivered is based on God's sovereignty in working out his purposes and fulfilling his promises. Their deliverance will come, even if through some means other than Esther. Yet that sovereignty is not fatalistic: Unless Esther exercises her individual responsibility, she and her family will perish. Here is demonstrated the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

The summary of the lesson we can clean from this is perhaps that:
-God has a divine plan and purpose
-He invites us to participate in his plan and purpose
-Sometimes the step of obedience is frightening, but we can be assured that God is already working and will provide all we need to accomplish the task
-God's purpose who be accomplisehd with or without us
-However, we are the ones who might face consequences and certainly miss amazing blessings when we fail to take up God's calling

I pray, sweet friends, that God would lead us to a place of faith and confidence so that we might be willing to take up the calling when our "such a time as this" arrives.

Do you have a story about a time when you stepped out in faith and obedience like Esther? Share your story - and your blessing.

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels