Topic: Called/Prepared for Such a Time
Background
Her processes
Such a time
Conclusion
Background
Esther was the heroine of the book in the Bible that bears
her name. She was a Jew named Hadassah (the myrtle). She was, however, renamed
by her captors, but her real identity never changed, even when she entered the
royal harem (Esther 2:7). How often, and pitifully, do Christians change with
their environment, upliftment, among others?
It is believed by Bible scholars that Esther, by the grace of
God, was instrumental toward the two purposes of the book, which are telling
the story behind the festival of Purim and also showing that God, in His
sovereignty, loves and cares for His own. However, the big question and task is
to be His and remain the same. May we obtain grace for this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Her
Processes (HP)
God does not just call or use people; He prepares vessels for
great assignments. Don’t run out of God’s preparatory sessions/classes/seasons.
No product is better than its process. What is God making or allowing us to go
through? I hope you are not avoiding what God meant to bring out the gold/glory
in you.
“All things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). God is
always with His own (Gen. 39:2-3, 21; 50:20). Let’s look at the diverse
processes/preparations that Esther went through.
HP1. The orphan, a captive, a virgin
Esther was an orphan, and this made her uncle Mordecai adopt
her (Esther 2:7). She was also a captive in Babylon (Esther 2:6). The fact that
she was a captive and had lost her parents did not make her reckless or
uncontrollable. She did not lose her pride, sanity, dignity, or morality, using
her misfortunes as an alibi. It paid off in her easy passage to a place of
destiny (Esther 2:2, 2:8).
HP2. Esther the tactful/favoured contestant
Esther was told never to reveal her nationality, and she
humbly and religiously obeyed. This is a case against those of us who are
always in a hurry to advertise our success, strategies, and even other personal
details. Even God hides things (Prov. 25:2; Deut. 29:29). It was well over four
years before anyone, even in the palace, knew her origin.
Esther enjoyed favour even with Hegai, who took care of the
virgins to be screened for the king to select a queen (Esther 2:8). She enjoyed
the following while with him:
- He
treated her kindly and ordered a special menu and treatment for her
(Esther 2:9).
- He
assigned seven maids to her and gave her the best place in the harem
(Esther 2:9).
HP3. Esther the queen, prayer warrior, and vessel
Esther’s rise to the throne, after Queen Vashti was deposed
in the third year of King Xerxes’ reign, can only be attributed to God, who
rules in the affairs of men (Dan. 4:17). Yet she did not become proud. Instead,
when she heard about her uncle’s distress, she was deeply concerned and sent
him clothes, even while living in comfort in the palace (Esther 4:4).
Esther was more than a queen; she was a vessel of God, marked
by faith, courage, and devotion. She valued her people, the Jews, above her own
life (Esther 4:16). Through her, God accomplished a great work.
Such A Time, the
Times Esther Lived (is our time different?):
· Fear and uncertainty
· Corrupt leadership
· Moral compromises
· Pressure to stay silent
· Hatred against God’s people
· Threats of destruction
CONCLUSION
· God positions people strategically; Esther did not
become queen by accident. God positioned her for a purpose. In the same way,
Christians today are placed:
· In schools
· In workplaces
· In churches
· In families
· In leadership
· On social media
· In communities
· not merely to
survive, but to shine as lights in dark times.
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