Divine Appointment

We all have dreams and plans for a better tomorrow. Libyans, Egyptians, Tunisians and Iranians have hopes and dreams. For some their dreams become reality.

We all have opportunities, but will we see them when they come? If we see them, will we seize the moment? Although not obvious at first the newly crowned Queen Esther, of the Old Testament, had a divinely appointed opportunity!

Haman, King Xerxes’ second in command, was a very vain and evil man. When another royal employee Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, chose not to bow to Haman he  became infuriated (Esther 3:2-6). So much so, that he wanted to kill Mordecai.

But, when Haman discovered he was Jewish he convinced the King that the Jews’ customs broke the King’s laws and they could no longer be tolerated. The King said, “…do with the people what you please.” A decree was made to, “…destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews” in Persia (Esther 3:11). Talk about overreacting!

Mordecai implored his niece Queen Esther to beg for mercy for “our” people. Esther was afraid for her life for she knew what happened to the previous Queen Vashti. She also knew that the King had more than just one wife and he didn’t seem to be as interested in her as he once was.

Queen Esther told her uncle that she could be put to death by going to the King without being summoned.  Mordecai told her,” do not think because you are isolated from the people living in the King’s palace that you alone of all the Jews will escape?”

Mordecai asked Esther, “Who knows if you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther, you have a divine opportunity right in front of you. What are you going to do about it? This is a defining moment that can change everything! The fate of Israel, OUR people, YOUR people, HIS people!

Esther, you are not here for a bigger wardrobe, more jewelry and perfumes or to be the most attractive woman on the cover of People Magazine. You’re here for a bigger reason!

God has brought you here to be part of what He is doing here and now. To work for justice, to spare lives, to oppose a very evil and powerful man. To be part of God’s plan to redeem the world. So don’t you miss this!

Esther, do not let your success of being where you are in life blind you to what God wants your life to be about. Don’t get distracted with trivial pursuits.

Esther gets it! She realizes that her hope will not come from her beauty, her bank account, her intelligence or her influence. Her only hope is in God; “If I die, I die.” (Esther 4:16).

What or who do you live for? How is it working for you? Have you been distracted by trivial things from the purpose you were created for? Don’t miss your divine appointment.

King Xerxes thought he married a Barbie Doll, but as we’ll see he has gotten someone far different...