When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “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 4:12-14
Mordecai’s reply did nothing to ease the young queen’s fears. In fact, his challenge shook her to the very core of her being.
He had told the eunuch to tell Esther she would not escape death if the king’s evil edict remained in effect. In fact, even if every other Jewish person in the kingdom was spared, she and her family would still die.
Mordecai also challenged her with a probing question: “Esther, could it be that God has given you a royal position for such a time as this?”
With this divine question still resounding in her ears, Esther closed her eyes and put her face in her hands as she pondered the eunuch’s report. “Tell Mordecai to gather together every Jew in Susa for a three-day period of prayer and fasting. My handmaidens and I will also fast. At the end of this time, even though it is against the law, I will approach the king. If I die, I die,” Esther whispered to the eunuch.
With a heavy heart, the eunuch took the young queen’s message to Mordecai.
Many times, like Esther, we deceive ourselves into thinking our place in life will save us from the pain and destruction in our land. It may be our job security, net worth, wonderful family life, influential friends, or the position of power we have achieved; we mistakenly think these things can insulate us from the horrible realities all around us.
In my own experience, I have found this mindset cannot be farther from the truth. For example, if you do not fight abortion, sooner or later someone you love will be touched by its horrors.
Maybe, like the majority of Christians, when you look at the horrible problems plaguing the inner cities and poverty-stricken areas of our world, you might simply raise your hand in thanksgiving that you do not live there.
Sadly, this type of attitude almost guarantees that the problems of the inner cities will soon be coming to a neighborhood not far from you.
Do you see it yet? No matter what you or your nation might be facing, God is calling you to use your place of influence to accomplish His purposes in your sphere of influence: your neighborhood, your city, state, country, or even your world.
© Copyright 2005 by Jim Laffoon
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