Esther 4:14 “…Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
Have you heard the story of Queen Esther? It is full of drama, power, romance and intrigue. Esther was a stunningly beautiful Jewish woman who became the queen of Persia around 480 years before Jesus walked on this earth. If you don’t know much about Persia, don’t worry. Neither did I. All you need to know is that it was huge, and many Jews ended up there after they were exiled from Jerusalem more than 100 years before.
So, the story in a nutshell goes like this. The king of Persia was named King Xerxes and when his first queen (not Esther) refused to make an appearance at a party he was throwing, he basically kicked her out. Then he went on the hunt for a new queen. This is when he met Esther. She was beautiful and when presented to King Xerxes, he took a liking to her, so she became the next queen.
How crazy was it that a simple Jewish woman would suddenly find herself the queen of the biggest empire in the world? Why would God bless her like that? Has this ever happened to you? Do you ever wonder why God has blessed you with an amazing job, a beautiful home, spare time or creativity? He didn’t place you where you are so you could lounge around all day with wine and cheese or post pictures on your social media pages. He placed you there for a reason.
While Queen Esther was living her best life in the palace, a scoundrel name Haman convinced the King to send out a decree that basically said all Jews should be killed on the 13th day of the 12th month. Well Queen Esther was a Jew, but she hadn’t told the King about her heritage because her Uncle Mordecai had told her not to. But now Mordecai sent her a message that said she needed to save her people by speaking to the King about the decree. She needed to tell King Xerxes that she was Jewish. Esther was scared. She had a pretty comfy life and she didn’t even know if the King would speak to her. But then Mordecai said the famous words from our Bible passage above, “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”
It is God who has given you your job, your home, your time and your strengths. God is giving you the opportunity to use these resources for his kingdom where he has placed you. So, speak up at work. Tell your colleagues about the really cool story you heard during the sermon at church. Invite your neighbors to your home and get to know them. Use your spare time to volunteer at your child’s school so you can show them what a loving Christ centered parent looks like. Don’t miss your kingdom assignment because you are too caught up in your comfy life. Perhaps you were put in this place for just such a time as this.
Dear Jesus, open my eyes so I can see the people around me that need your kingdom. I know you have placed me here for a reason. I am ready to help. Amen.