Morning

September 12

Esther 4:14-16 ¹⁴For 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?" ¹⁵Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ¹⁶"Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

Mordecai's fellow Jews must have wondered how he could justify sending his stepdaughter to try out for queen of Persia. After all, the king was not a believer. The sovereign hand of God had placed her just where she needed to be when the Jews came under attack. We know Mordecai was not a compromising individual for he would not bow to Haman and that was the source of the threat toward the Jews. Haman was a close friend of the king. The king ordered everyone to bow before Haman because of his position, but Jews do not bow to men.

This made Haman furious. When he found out Mordecai was a Jew, he wanted all Jews exterminated. He convinced the king to issue the decree. The king did not know his new queen was a Jew. Mordecai and the Jews of Susa fasted and prayed that God would deliver them. When Esther saw Mordecai was dressed in sackcloth, she had a messenger find out what was wrong. Mordecai asked her to plead the case before the king. If she went into his presence without being summoned, she could be executed. Mordecai told her she would be executed anyway, just for being Jewish. She asked all the Jews to fast and pray for her for three days and then she went in to see the king. She had decided that if she was executed it would be for a just cause. How could she live with herself if she did not try to save her people?

We could use some of her desperation. We often fear sharing the salvation message because we think we might be rejected, but we are sharing with them to save their souls. The life of a nation was at stake. We are not so fearful of losing our lives, but we do face rejection. We have to say, "If we are rejected then we are rejected." People still need to know the truth. God placed Esther where she was to serve a purpose. He has placed you where you are also. Your friends and acquaintances are not in your life by accident.

Consider: When God opens the door, share, and don't worry about the consequences. Lives are at stake. God has placed you where you are for such a time as this!