As we pick up the story in Esther 3, King Xerxes has appointed a man named Haman to the highest position in the royal court. But Haman lets his ego get the best of him and orders the people of Susa to kneel and pay him honor when they see him. There is one person, however, who refuses to pay Haman the kind of respect he is seeking—Esther’s close relative, Mordecai. So Haman orders that Mordecai and his people (the Jews) be put to death. He also convinces King Xerxes to sign a decree stating that the Jewish people of Susa be destroyed.

After learning of Haman’s intentions, Mordecai pleads with Esther to use her position as queen to convince the king to lift this decree. At this point in time, Esther has kept her Jewish heritage a secret, so she refuses Mordecai’s request out of fear of losing her own life when her secret is discovered.

Not giving up on his niece, Mordecai sends back this reply to Esther: "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 4:13-14

In the book of Esther we really don’t see the name of God mentioned, however, we see His hand boldly weaving through the lives of Esther and Mordecai. As God spoke through Mordecai, the phrase, “for such a time as this” shows that God was in charge of this situation and He was going to work through Esther at this moment in history. God gave Esther this assignment and equipped her to carry it out.

Rather than give away the ending to a really great story, I encourage you to read through the book of Esther and see for yourself the hand of God at work in Esther to save her people. As you read, I want you to ask yourself if you would be willing to take such a risk in today’s world?

The truth is we have been given a similar assignment—for such a time as this. We have a world desperately in need of saving from an eternal death. We may not hold an earthly position like Esther did, but we are royalty in the Kingdom of God.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:7-8

Friends, the time has come for us to share our story with the pre-Christians in our world. Our Heavenly Father has not only commanded us, but supernaturally equipped each of us to proclaim the news of Jesus for such a time as this.