For Such a Time as This

Purim is the Jewish holiday commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s wicked plot to exterminate the Jewish people during the reign of the Persian King Ahasuerus. The events surrounding Purim take place in 483 BC. On the Hebrew calendar Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar, which happens to begin tonight, March 25 on our calendar.

We find the story in the Old Testament book of Esther, named after the heroin of this tense and tenuous time. You see, when her uncle, a Jewish man named Mordecai, wouldn’t bow down to Haman, vizier to the King, Haman hatched a wicked and diabolical plot to have the Jewish people exterminated.

Esther, a common Jewish girl, through a series of events, rose from anonymity to become Queen of Persia. It turned out, she was the last and only hope in changing the grisly outcome of Haman’s evil intent. 

Esther, however, stood perilously at the crossroads of fear and faith. You see, when Mordecai apprised her of the situation and exhorted her to take the matter before the King, she had to  weigh the risk versus the reward in taking action. Her initial response to Mordecai was fearful:

Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.
– Esther 4:10-12

After Mordecai challenged her once again, Esther then resolved to walk in faith and go forth to the King regardless of the consequences:

And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.
 – Esther 4:13-17

She happened to be strategically placed by God “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)! And the result of Esther’s faith was not death, but deliverance! The Jewish people are spared and Haman was executed.

Fast forward about 2500 years to 2021, where you and I are also strategically placed by God—for such a time as this!

And while physical deliverance of a people group is not the issue, spiritual deliverance of people is in view.

You see, the timeliness of God is perfect. For time, in one sense, is God’s construct to accomplish His salvation. Today, our circumstances along with each of our individual spheres of influence are connected in order for us to sow gospel seeds and the Lord of time to accomplish His redemptive plans and purposes.

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven; He has made everything beautiful in its time
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11).

Yes, the Lord is continuing to build His Church! And as His truth keeps marching…

Today, we remember and rejoice in our Redeemer:

This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand (Psalm 31:14-15).

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son (Galatians 4:4).

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6).

Today, we ask the Lord to help us steward the time he has graciously bestowed upon us:

Father, “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

Lord Jesus, help us redeem “the time for the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

Today, we remember the imperative of the gospel and great commission mandate:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Therefore, Lord Jesus, in light of these wonderful truths,  just as “the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do”  (1 Chronicles 12:32), please help us, Your people, the Church, understand our times today to know what to do. For you have placed each of us, like Esther, where you want us…for such a time as this.

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2